John Keat's poems, On First Looking into Chapman's Homer, and On Seeing the Elgin Marbles for
the First Time, express an irresistible, poetical imagination. They convey a sense of atmosphere to the
reader. In comparison they exemplify his intense love of beauty. The connection between these two
poems is not so much in subject, but the feeling of awe. Both these poems show more emotion and
amazement in the experience of discovering something new. Keats looked with eyes of wonder at
new adventures and expressed them verbally with delicacy and reserve.
In the poem On First Looking into Chapman's Homer, the description of his experiences
overflows with youth and excitement. But as the poem continues the writing is toned down to
convey the most important and meaningful experience. Keats describes how after traveling in lands
of gold, and seeing many great states and kingdoms, he never truly realized the wonders of these
things until reading Chapman's translation of Homer.
Portrait of John Keats by his friend Charles Brown...
John Keats, by William Hilton (died 1839). See sou...
John Keats' tombstone. He died on 23 February 1821...Crossing many western islands bards have
sung about, he never was able to comprehend their true serene nature until reading man's wondrous
words. This narration explains that though these were sights well visited , their beauty and Keats
imagination kept them alive. Having read Chapman's translation til dawn with his teacher, he was so
moved he wrote this his first great poem and mailed it by ten A.M. that day.
In On Seeing the Elgin Marbles for the First Time, the description of his experiences overflows
with depression and experience. As the poem continues you see his sad point of view has faded . It
gives it a familiarity that hides its true serene character. He describes how his spirit is weak (mortality)
and his wonderful memories have faded in his mind due to worries and unrest at his...