The narrator of the poem "To Daffodils" acts as a voice for humanity, using the collective pronoun "we" throughout the verses. They observe the brief bloom of the springtime flowers and recognize a reflection of human mortality within the natural cycle. The speaker feels anxiety regarding the fast pace of time but finds solace in the act of prayer as preparation for the inevitable end of life.

The eponymous subjects of the poem are spring flowers directly addressed by the speaker through the literary device of apostrophe. They bloom and wither rapidly, failing to last even until noon. They serve as a physical embodiment of the short period of youth and vitality that all living beings experience before facing decay.

Robert Herrick is a 17th-century English poet and the vicar of Dean Prior in Devon. He holds Royalist sympathies during the English Civil War, which leads to his temporary removal from his clerical position. He seeks inspiration from classical authors and pens over 1,200 poems, finding hope for redemption in his religious faith.

Nicholas is a London-based jeweler and goldsmith. He serves as the head of the Herrick family until he commits suicide by falling from a window when his son Robert is just over a year old, leaving his wife to manage the family alone.

Julian is the mother of Robert Herrick. Following the tragic death of her husband, she faces the difficult task of raising a family without its primary provider. She ultimately cares for two of her children while leaving Robert and two older brothers in the care of their uncles.

William is a goldsmith who steps in to help raise his nephews after his brother Nicholas dies. He takes Robert on as an apprentice for six years, teaching him the family trade before Robert leaves to pursue his education at Cambridge.

The Duke of Buckingham is a military and political leader who mounts a siege during the Anglo-French War in 1627. He employs the newly ordained Robert Herrick to serve as a domestic chaplain for this specific expedition.

Lettice Yarde is a woman who may have married Robert Herrick in 1639, though historical records remain contested regarding their actual union. Her exact role in his life is subject to speculation among literary historians.

Ben Jonson is an influential English poet and playwright. His specific theory and style of writing spawn a dedicated group of followers known as the "Sons of Ben," a literary group that includes Robert Herrick.

Charles I is the monarch of England who supports the ceremonial High Church. His reign faces extreme opposition from the Parliamentarians during the English Civil War, a conflict that deeply affects the lives and careers of his Royalist supporters.

Henrietta Maria is the Queen consort of England. Her Catholic faith creates political and religious tension within the Protestant Church of England, fueling the anxieties that eventually erupt into the English Civil War.