Every time a male is speaking, it is not really a separate person the fool is meeting, but the viewpoint of the active, analytical part of the brain that is being expressed. When a woman speaks, it is imagination and the subconscious that voices its outlook, from its current state of being. So, when a man and woman are married in the story, it speaks of the conscious and subconscious mind joining to work together. For instance, alone, the intellect is the magician - all power but no idea what to do with it. But when married in harmony, they become the Empress and Emperor - creativity governed well that brings peace and prosperity.
Animals usually represent the body and the voice of the flesh.
The tarot considers this an important element of a person and takes it into account as a character itself. When Strength controls the lion's mouth, she is talking about the mind being in control of the body without hating it. When the snake weaves tales for The Lovers, it is really the possibility of new sensations teasing the mind into wondering if peace is boring. Plants are the same, laden with double-meanings. Roses are desire.