Knowledge and Inspiration in John Keats' "On First Looking into Chapman’s Homer"

John Keats' poem "On First Looking into Chapman’s Homer" is widely recognized as a pivotal moment in his development as a poet. It stands as evidence of his complete mastery of the sonnet form, in which he ultimately wrote 64 poems. This particular work played a crucial role in his evolution as a poet, leading the way to his creation of the famous Great Odes.

The Sonnet Form: A Challenge and a Canvas

Keats was deeply fascinated by the sonnet form because it presented a unique challenge: to condense thought-provoking philosophy into a mere fourteen lines.

He continuously experimented with verse and meter, initially exploring Petrarchan structures. However, he found them unsuitable for the English language and gradually leaned toward the Shakespearean form. Nevertheless, in "On First Looking into Chapman’s Homer," Keats demonstrates technical perfection within the Petrarchan structure.

The traditional Petrarchan sonnet consists of an Octet (eight lines), which often poses a question or presents a problem, followed by a Sestet (six lines) that offers an answer or solution.

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Keats, however, subverts this traditional structure to serve as a before-and-after reflection. In this case, the Octet contemplates his travels and knowledge before encountering Chapman's Homer, while the Sestet contrasts his enlightening experience after reading it.

A Journey through Keats' Epiphany

"On First Looking into Chapman’s Homer" stands as a testament to the profound impact of poetry on Keats. This poem was composed in a vivid and ephemeral moment of crucial inspiration, immediately following his elation upon reading Chapman's Homer.

The intensity of this stimulation was so powerful that Keats completed the entire poem in a single day.

The opening lines of the poem establish Keats's profound admiration for both Chapman and Homer:

Much have I travell’d in the realms of gold,

And many goodly states and kingdoms seen;

Round many western islands have I been...

The initial exclamatory statement boldly declares Keats as a scholar of high art and literature. It immediately introduces central metaphors of exploration and discovery, emphasizing the diversity of experiences that art and imagination bring. The phrase "Realms of Gold" symbolizes the world of imagination, signifying Keats's belief that art can open the mind to new worlds and experiences. The choice of "gold" underscores the richness and rarity of these experiences and alludes to the quest for gold by Spanish conquistadors, linking to Keats's reference to Cortez in the Sestet.

The repetition of the "l" sounds in "travelled," "realms," and "gold" reinforces the idea, creating a sonic tapestry that ties these words together. The frequent use of first-person narrative strengthens the perception of Keats's extensive personal knowledge and experiences. Thus, his epiphany upon reading Chapman's Homer is informed and trustworthy.

The poem further delves into those who create art rather than those who appreciate it, narrowing its focus to one particular poet who reigns supreme in the realm of poetry:

Oft of one wide expanse had I been told

That deep-brow'd Homer ruled his demesne;

Yet never did I breathe its pure serene...

Once again, Keats expands upon the metaphor of travel and discovery. He underscores the vastness of Homer's legacy and his own admiration. Homer's influence is not only rich but prolific, a trait that Keats aspired to emulate. Keats modifies "expanse," which already means extensive, with an adjective that also means "extensive," "wide," reinforcing the limitless nature of Homer's intellect and literary accomplishments.

Keats emphasizes the profound effect of Homer's poetry on himself, as evidenced by his choice of "pure serene." Art, to Keats, is not merely an enjoyment; it is an essential part of life, akin to oxygen. He absorbs it to the point that it becomes an integral part of his being. Keats's use of an adjective in place of a noun, "pure serene," indicates his struggle with the limitations of the English language. This struggle eventually led him to favor Shakespearean sonnets.

Chapman's Homer: A Revelation

The poem's Octet, which contemplates Keats's knowledge of Homer's reputation, contrasts dramatically with the subsequent lines in the Sestet, where Keats vividly recounts the impact of reading Chapman's translation:

Then I felt like some watcher of the skies

When a new planet swims into his ken;

Or like stout Cortez when with eagle eyes

He star'd at the Pacific – and all his men

The Sestet introduces a strong emphasis on visual imagery. Keats describes himself as a "watcher of the skies" who witnesses the emergence of a new planet into his field of vision. This metaphor encapsulates the elation and awe he experienced upon encountering new knowledge. The visual metaphor of discovering a new planet is chosen over the astronomy metaphor to convey the satisfaction of actively gaining knowledge.

Keats swiftly shifts to another powerful visual image—the explorer Cortez gazing at the Pacific Ocean with "eagle eyes." This image symbolizes the idea of uncharted territories and the thrill of discovery. Keats's choice to shift from astronomy to exploration signifies his belief that our access to knowledge is finite and restricted, unlike the boundless universe. The ocean metaphor resonates with him as a method of transportation, just as Chapman's Homer serves as the vehicle for his own intellectual journey.

The poem concludes with the impact of such profound discovery on Keats:

Look’d at each other with a wild surmise

Silent, upon a peak in Darien.

Cortez and his men, upon encountering the vastness of the Pacific, are rendered speechless and shocked into silence. The use of "surmise" implies a sense of confusion and uncertainty, but the word "wild" suggests that their shock is also filled with excitement. This reaction contrasts sharply with the earlier lines of the poem, where Chapman's Homer spoke "loud and bold." It highlights the shift from the initial elation of discovery to a quiet, contemplative state.

Conclusion

In conclusion, John Keats's "On First Looking into Chapman’s Homer" is a powerful exploration of the transformative impact of knowledge and art. Keats's mastery of the sonnet form is evident in his ability to convey profound experiences within the constraints of fourteen lines. The poem serves as a testament to the importance of seeking knowledge beyond one's current understanding and continually aspiring to new intellectual heights.

Keats's use of vivid visual imagery, metaphors of exploration, and historical allusions creates a work that resonates with readers, inspiring them to embrace the wonder of discovery. While Keats may have made a historical inaccuracy regarding Cortez, the essence of his message remains undiminished. What matters most is the human truth embedded in his words—a truth that continues to inspire and encourage the pursuit of knowledge, no matter how vast or limited it may seem.