She is introduced as a beautiful and enchanting woman with long, unbound hair and a voice that "made [the knight] tingle with desire." Her physical allure and ethereal presence enthrall the knight, drawing him into her world. She entices him to leave his earthly realm and follow her into a realm of enchantment and beauty.
As the poem unfolds, it becomes evident that the woman is not what she seems. She leads the knight into a dark and desolate place, where he finds himself trapped in a nightmarish reality. She becomes a merciless, heartless figure who takes pleasure in the knight's suffering and ultimate demise.
The woman symbolizes a deceptive and destructive force, representing the dangers of succumbing to overwhelming desires and abandoning reason. She embodies the idea that beauty can be alluring but fleeting, often concealing a hidden and ominous truth beneath its surface.
In the poem, the woman is referred to as "La Belle Dame sans Merci," which translates to "The beautiful lady without mercy." This title itself foreshadows the treacherous and unforgiving nature that lies within her.