A pioneering American poet and former nurse who volunteers in military hospitals during the Civil War. He serves as the narrative speaker of the elegy, struggling to express his profound sorrow after the violent death of the president. He views his poetic role as a champion for the common man and attempts to translate the nation's collective trauma into healing art.

The President of the United States whose sudden assassination plunges the country into deep mourning. Within the elegy, he is never mentioned by name but is instead represented as a fallen, luminous western star. He shares a political and spiritual alignment with the poet, representing unpretentious leadership and advocacy for ordinary citizens.

An actor who assassinates the president shortly after the Confederate army's surrender. His violent act abruptly halts the nation's celebration of peace and initiates the period of collective trauma that inspires the elegy.

A gray-brown, migratory bird that sings a continuous, liquid song. It functions as a prominent voice of nature within the elegy, teaching the speaker how to properly vocalize grief. The bird's music frames death not as a tragedy, but as a soothing, natural force that brings peace.

The brother of the poet. He suffers a superficial wound during combat, prompting his brother to travel south to locate him. This journey ultimately exposes the poet to the horrific realities of military hospitals and permanently alters his political views.

The matriarch of the family. The lilac bush growing outside her door becomes permanently associated with the tragic news of the president's death, turning a common domestic shrub into a lasting symbol of maternal presence and sudden grief.

A prominent literary figure and essayist who recognizes the poet's early talent. His philosophical ideas regarding nature and the human soul deeply influence the expansive, transcendent style seen in the elegy.

The commander of the Union army who successfully brings the brutal military engagements of the Civil War to a close. His victory provides a brief moment of national celebration before tragedy strikes.

The commander of the Confederate army. His surrender directly precedes the events at Ford's Theater, setting the stage for what the public believes will be a peaceful reconstruction period.

The president's bodyguard who observes the unusual daytime appearance of the planet Venus alongside the leader. His historical account provides a real-world origin for the celestial imagery used heavily throughout the elegy.