Endymion and the "labyrinthian path to eminence in art"

Auteurs

• Christoph Loreck

Paramètres

• Manuels
• Manuels universitaires

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This book provides a detailed examination of John Keats’s pursuit of artistic greatness through his long poem, Endymion. It highlights the influence of Virgil on Keats’s early poetry, particularly the Aeneid as a model for Endymion. The labyrinth, a significant motif in the Aeneid, also plays a crucial role in Keats’s early work, helping to elucidate the complex structure and style of Endymion. The author discusses how Keats used the labyrinth symbol to position himself as a poeta vates, drawing on the tradition of Augustan-Roman poets. This context reflects the tension between Conservative and Liberal forces regarding poetic and cultural authority. By embracing the role of the divinely inspired poet, Keats sought to assert an alternative perspective on society and poetry in Endymion. As a proponent of the Liberal cause, he distanced himself from warfare and avoided literary depictions of war. The author posits that Endymion represents Keats’s unsuccessful attempt to craft an innovative "Peaceful epic" within the Romantic personal epic tradition, aiming to express a vision of peace and human understanding. While Keats incorporated epic elements formally, Endymion ultimately evolved into an epic romance. Discontent with the outcome, Keats later adopted a simpler, Grecian style in Hyperion.

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• Année de publication: 2005