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 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
Look’d at each other with a wild surmise—
Silent, upon a peak in Darien.
Summary of On First Looking into Chapman’s Homer
- The Poem’s Essence: “On First Looking into Chapman’s Homer” is a sonnet by the celebrated English Romantic poet, John Keats. Written in 1816, the poem is not about Homer’s epic poems themselves, but rather the poet’s overwhelming experience of discovering them anew through George Chapman’s translation. It celebrates the power of literature to transport us to other worlds and awaken our imaginations.
- Central Idea: The poem explores the exhilarating feeling of encountering something profoundly beautiful and previously unknown. Keats uses vivid imagery to convey the sense of wonder and discovery he experiences when reading Chapman’s translation. It emphasizes that great art can give us a new perspective on the world, akin to the thrill of scientific discovery or the awe of an untouched landscape.
- A Notable Point: The sonnet is structured as a personal revelation. Keats establishes his familiarity with classical literature (“realms of gold”) before describing the specific impact of Chapman’s work. This framing emphasizes the newness of the experience—it is not merely learning about Homer, but feeling Homer in a completely fresh way.
Analysis of Literary Devices in “On First Looking into Chapman’s Homer”
Literary devices are the tools writers use to create meaning and impact. Keats masterfully employs several in this sonnet to convey his emotional and intellectual response to Chapman’s translation.
Allusion
Allusion is a crucial device throughout the poem. Keats references several figures and places from classical mythology and history. For instance, the “realms of gold” allude to the mythical wealth and grandeur of ancient civilizations, especially those described in Homer’s epics. The references to “Apollo” and “bards” further connect the poem to the world of classical poetry and music. These allusions enrich the poem’s meaning by evoking a sense of history, tradition, and artistic excellence.
Imagery
Keats’s use of imagery is striking and evocative. He creates vivid mental pictures that immerse the reader in his experience. Consider the line “Much have I travell’d in the realms of gold.” The phrase “realms of gold” conjures images of luxurious landscapes, ancient cities, and the golden age of classical literature. Later, the image of “stout Cortez” staring at the Pacific Ocean is powerfully visual, conveying awe, wonder, and the unknown.
Simile
Simile, the comparison of two unlike things using “like” or “as,” is central to the poem’s structure. The most prominent similes appear in the final six lines: “Then I felt like some watcher of the skies / When a new planet swims into his ken;” and “Or like stout Cortez when with eagle eyes / He stared at the Pacific.” These similes are not merely decorative; they articulate the quality of Keats’s experience. The discovery of Chapman’s Homer is akin to the scientific breakthrough of finding a new planet or the historical moment of a conquistador encountering an uncharted ocean. Both experiences involve expansion, revelation, and the realization of something previously unimaginable.
Enjambment
Enjambment, the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line of poetry to the next without a pause, creates a sense of flow and momentum. Look at the lines:
“When a new planet swims into his ken;
Or like stout Cortez when with eagle eyes,
He stared at the Pacific, and all his men”
The lack of punctuation at the end of these lines forces the reader to continue to the next line, mirroring the poet’s uninterrupted flow of thought and emotion. This technique builds anticipation and emphasizes the interconnectedness of the ideas being expressed.
Analysis of Poetic Devices in “On First Looking into Chapman’s Homer”
Beyond literary devices, Keats skillfully uses specific poetic techniques to craft the sonnet.
Sonnet Form (Petrarchan/Italian)
The poem adheres to the traditional Petrarchan sonnet form, consisting of fourteen lines divided into an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines). The octave typically presents a problem or question, while the sestet offers a resolution or answer. In this sonnet, the octave establishes Keats’s prior familiarity with classical literature, while the sestet focuses on the transformative impact of Chapman’s translation. The structure mirrors the unfolding of Keats’s experience—a gradual deepening of understanding and emotion.
Iambic Pentameter
The poem is written in iambic pentameter, a rhythmic pattern of five pairs of unstressed and stressed syllables per line. This creates a natural, flowing rhythm that mimics the cadence of human speech. For example, consider the line: “And many goodly states and kingdoms seen.”
Rhyme Scheme
The poem follows the traditional Petrarchan rhyme scheme: ABBAABBA CDCDCD. This intricate scheme not only adds musicality but also reinforces the connections between ideas and images, contributing to the poem’s coherence and unity.
Quotes to be Used
The lines below are useful for encouraging exploration and appreciation of literature:
“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.”
These lines remind us that literature opens doors to new worlds and allows us to embark on imaginative journeys. They celebrate the power of art to expand our horizons and enrich our lives.