The Eve of St. Agnes tells the story of Madeline, a young woman who believes in the ancient tradition of St. Agnes' Eve, where a maiden can dream of her future husband. While her family sleeps, she prepares for the ritual, and her lover, Porphyro, secretly enters her chamber.
Driven by love, Porphyro pretends to be a spirit to win Madeline's attention. He persuades her to leave the house and run away with him. However, their escape is met with danger, including the appearance of her watchful guardian, Angela, and the cold, stormy night.
The poem uses rich imagery, vivid language, and sensory detail to depict the atmosphere of romance, secrecy, and supernatural elements. It explores themes of love, desire, fate, and the power of dreams.
The ending is somewhat ambiguous, with some interpretations suggesting the couple escapes successfully while others portray a more tragic conclusion, leaving the reader to ponder the ultimate fate of Madeline and Porphyro.