Lamia- John Keats

The nympth

Why? 

So beautiful she was harassed by many men- Lamia made her invisible to prevent this

'She plucks the fruit unseen, she bathes unseen; And by my power is her beauty veiled To keep it unafronted, unassailed, By the love- glances of unlovely eyes'

Lamia

Why? 

She was turned into a serpent- we feel sympathetic towards her. She is crying when we meet her 

'And for her eyes- what could such eyes do there But weep, and weep,that were born so fair,'

Apollonius

Why? 

Knows Lamia is a serpent and can see this- contrasts to Lycius who is blind- tragic blindness

'Lamia trembled...Lycius! Wherefore did you blind yourself from his quick eyes?'

Lycius

Why? 

Megalopsychia (greatness of soul)

'Charioting foremost in the envious race, Like a young Jove with calm uneager face'

Charioting- athletic

Jove-King of Gods- shows he is religious 

Lamia

Why?

Fools Lycius that she is a real woman however she is a serpent

'That Lycius could not love in half a fright, so threw the goddess off, and won his heart'