On First Looking Into Chapman's Homer
General Comments Keats was so moved by the power and aliveness of Chapman's translation of Homer that he wrote this sonnet--after spending all night reading Homer with a friend. The poem expresses the intensity of Keats's experience; it also reveals how passionately he cared about poetry. To communicate how profoundly the revelation of Homer's genius affected him, Keats uses imagery of exploration and discovery. In a sense, the reading experience itself becomes a Homeric voyage, both for the poet and the reader. Written in October 1816, this is the first entirely successful (surviving) poem he wrote. John Middleton Murry called it "one of the finest sonnets in the English language."
Definitions and Allusions
The lines of the sonnet appear in the left column; those lines are explained in the right column. Words in purple are explained in the right column.
Lines of the Poem Explanation of Lines
Much have I travelled in therealms of gold This phrase can be read in two closely related ways, (1) as the world of imagination and/or (2) as the world of poetry. The difference in meaning between these two readings is a matter of emphasis, because poetry is produced by the imagination.
And many goodlystates and kingdoms seen; Having a pleasing appearance or character; large or extensive
Round many western islands have I been This line suggests the voyages of Odysseus, the hero of Homer's Odyssey.
Which bards1 in fealty2 to Apollo3hold. 1 A professional poet who composed and sang songs about heroes
2 Devoted fidelity or loyalty, originally the allegiance of a tenant (or vassal) to his lord
3 Greek god of poetry and music
Oft of one wide expanse had I been told That deep-browedHomer1 ruled as hisdemesne2 1 Homer, the great Greek poet, wrote two epics, The Iliad andThe Odyssey, His date is placed anywhere betweeen 1050 and 850 B.C.
2 Realm or kingdom
Yet did I never breathe its pure serene A bright clear sky; clear air
Till I heard Chapmanspeak
Definitions and Allusions
The lines of the sonnet appear in the left column; those lines are explained in the right column. Words in purple are explained in the right column.
Lines of the Poem Explanation of Lines
Much have I travelled in therealms of gold This phrase can be read in two closely related ways, (1) as the world of imagination and/or (2) as the world of poetry. The difference in meaning between these two readings is a matter of emphasis, because poetry is produced by the imagination.
And many goodlystates and kingdoms seen; Having a pleasing appearance or character; large or extensive
Round many western islands have I been This line suggests the voyages of Odysseus, the hero of Homer's Odyssey.
Which bards1 in fealty2 to Apollo3hold. 1 A professional poet who composed and sang songs about heroes
2 Devoted fidelity or loyalty, originally the allegiance of a tenant (or vassal) to his lord
3 Greek god of poetry and music
Oft of one wide expanse had I been told That deep-browedHomer1 ruled as hisdemesne2 1 Homer, the great Greek poet, wrote two epics, The Iliad andThe Odyssey, His date is placed anywhere betweeen 1050 and 850 B.C.
2 Realm or kingdom
Yet did I never breathe its pure serene A bright clear sky; clear air
Till I heard Chapmanspeak