On Sitting down to Read King Lear once Again
The poem reflects the speaker's deep engagement with the themes and emotional weight of Shakespeare's "King Lear." It opens with a call to the enchanting aspects of romance and beauty, personified as a siren, urging them to be silent as the speaker prepares to confront the intense and tumultuous themes of the play. The speaker acknowledges the struggle between despair and the human condition, indicating a desire to delve into the complexities of existence portrayed in the tragedy. The reference to "damnation and impassion'd clay" suggests a conflict between the spiritual and the corporeal, highlighting the duality of human experience. The speaker expresses a sense of urgency and humility in approaching the text, recognizing the profound impact it has on the soul. The invocation of the "Chief Poet" and the "clouds of Albion" emphasizes the cultural and literary significance of Shakespeare, positioning him as a central figure in the exploration of deep, eternal themes. As the speaker anticipates their journey through the narrative, there is a desire to avoid a superficial experience, seeking instead a transformative engagement that leads to enlightenment. The imagery of being "consumèd in the Fire" symbolizes a purifying process, suggesting that through the trials of reading and understanding, the speaker hopes to emerge renewed, akin to a phoenix rising from ashes. This desire for rebirth and creative inspiration underscores the transformative power of literature and its ability to elevate the human spirit. Overall, the work encapsulates the tension between beauty and suffering, the quest for understanding, and the hope for renewal through the profound engagement with classic literature.
By John Keats · First published 1818 · Genre: Poetry, Literary Criticism, Romanticism · 145 words
First lines
O golden-tongued Romance, with serene lute!
Fair plumèd Syren, Queen of far away!
Leave melodizing on this wintry day, Shut up thine olden pages, and be mute:
Adieu! for once again the fierce dispute, Betwixt damnation and impassion'd clay, Must I burn through; once more humbly assay The bitter sweet of this Shakespearean fruit:
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On Sitting down to Read King Lear once Again is listed on Textopian as a poem by John Keats, dated 1818 CE.
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- Work type: Poem
- Author: John Keats
- Date: 1818 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Literary Criticism, Romanticism, Drama, Philosophical
- Length: 145 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
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- The Last Word by Matthew Arnold
- The World And The Quietist by Matthew Arnold
- To Read Or Not To Read by Oscar Wilde
- Worldly Place by Matthew Arnold
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is a sonnet, showcasing Keats' poetic style and use of meter and rhyme.
- Literary Criticism — The poem reflects on Shakespeare's 'King Lear', analyzing its themes and emotional depth.
- Romanticism — The themes of passion, nature, and introspection align with Romantic literary ideals.
- Drama — The reference to 'King Lear' connects the poem to dramatic literature and its exploration of human experience.
Tags
Philosophical · Poetic · Literary · Analytical · Critical · Intellectual · Thought-provoking · Insightful · In-depth · Theatrical · Dramatic · Tragic