"On First Looking into Chapman's Homer"
Poetry
|
John Keats
On First Looking into Chapman's Homer Full Poem
On First Looking into Chapman's Homer
By John Keats
Much have I travell'd in the realms of gold,
And many goodly states and kingdoms seen;
Round many western islands have I been
Which bards in fealty to Apollo hold.
Oft of one wide expanse had I been told
That deep-brow'd Homer ruled as his demesne;
Yet did I never breathe its pure serene
Till I heard Chapman speak out loud and bold:
Then felt I...
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On First Looking into Chapman's Homer Key Info
Key Facts
Author: John Keats (1795-1821)
Original Title: On First Looking into Chapman’s Homer
Title of the Author:
Leading Second Generation Romantic Poet
Poet of Sensuousness
Poet of Beauty and Mortality
Written Date: October 1816
Published Date: First published in “The Examiner” in 1816 and later in Poems (1817), Keats's first collection.
Form: Petrarchan Sonnet (Italian Sonnet)
Mete...
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On First Looking into Chapman's Homer Themes
Discovery and Exploration: The poem begins with Keats describing his sense of discovery and exploration as he reads Chapman's translation of Homer's works. He likens this experience to an explorer who has just made a new and profound discovery.
The Power of Literature: Keats emphasizes the transformative power of literature and poetry. He suggests that reading Chapman's translation of Homer's poem...
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"On First Looking into Chapman's Homer" Literary Device
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 v...
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On First Looking into Chapman's Homer Character
The Speaker: John Keats himself, a passionate reader who feels amazed after reading Chapman’s translation of Homer.
Homer: The great ancient Greek poet, author of The Iliad and The Odyssey.
George Chapman: The English poet and translator whose translation of Homer’s works opened a new world to Keats.
Apollo: Greek God of poetry and the arts. Many poets write with devotion to him.
Cortez: A Spanish...
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On First Looking into Chapman's Homer Summary
Background
John Keats loved reading classical (Greek and Roman) writers. But he did not know the Greek or Latin languages. He was first studying to be a doctor, and later he became a poet. So, to read classical literature, he read translations by other writers.
At first, he read Alexander Pope’s translation of Homer, but he didn’t enjoy it much. Later, he found a translation by George Chapman, a p...
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On First Looking into Chapman's Homer Quotations
Quotations
“Much have I travell'd in the realms of gold...”
Explanation: Keats says he has read many great literary works, like travelling through golden lands.
“Yet did I never breathe its pure serene...”
Explanation: Keats never truly felt Homer’s beauty until he read Chapman’s powerful translation.
“Oft of one wide expanse had I been told...”
Explanation: Keats had heard of Homer’s greatness an...
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Notes
Explore 3 detailed notes related to "On First Looking into Chapman's Homer". Each note provides in-depth analysis, explanations, and critical insights.