Literary Terms

• Sonnet: "On First Looking into Chapman's Homer" is a Petrarchan Sonnet with iambic pentameter.

Figures of Speech:

Allusion: Keats alludes to historical and mythological figures, like Cortez (the explorer) and Apollo (the Greek god of poetry), to highlight the magnitude of Homer’s influence.

Metaphor: "realms of gold": Represents the world of literature, which is full of valuable and beautiful works.

Imagery: The poem is full of vivid images, such as "a new planet swims into his ken" and "a peak in Darien," which evoke a sense of discovery and awe.

Simile: "Like some watcher of the skies / When a new planet swims into his ken": Compares Keats’s reaction to the feeling of discovering a new planet.

Hyperbole: Keats exaggerates his experience of reading Chapman’s translation by comparing it to monumental discoveries in history.

Symbolism/Symbols: Using objects or images to represent bigger ideas. Examples:

• "Realms of gold":  "Realms of gold" symbolizes classical Greek literature's vast and untapped treasures. 
• "Cortez": The reference to Cortez, the Spanish conquistador, symbolizes the spirit of exploration and discovery. 
• "Eagle": The eagle symbolizes keen vision and the ability to fly to great heights. 
• Homer Himself: Homer, the ancient Greek poet, symbolizes timeless literary greatness.