On First Looking Into Chapman's Homer
Summary
The famous poem "On First Looking Into Chapman's Homer" was written by the great English Romantic poet John Keats in 1816. It was written in the form of a sonnet. Keats composed this sonnet after reading the translation of Homer's work. It was written by an English poet and dramatist of the Elizabethan age. His name was George Chapman. It was given to him by his friend, Cowden Clarke. Keats and his friend Cowden Clarke sat up together till daylight to read it and the next morning, Mr Clarke found the sonnet on the breakfast table. Thus Keats composed the famous sonnet after reading the translation of Homer's work.
Keats was very much impressed with George Chapman's work of translation. He feels a great enjoy while reading it. In this poem, Keats pays a great tribute to Chapman's translation of Homer. Keats gave great attention to Homer"s poetic genius. He considered Homer'work like a kingdom of pure gold. After reading Chapman's translation he felt a never-ending joy in his heart. Keats was grateful for Chapman who introduced to him the glorious regions of Homer's genius.
Poem Analysis stanza wise
Stanza--1 Much have -----------bold. (lines 1-8)
In the sonnet "On First Looking Into Chapman's Homer", the poet shows his never-ending pleasure. The poet says that he has read many literary books. but when he read Chapman's translation of Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, he became so much inspired that he composed this sonnet. The poet says that he always wanted to read Homer's literary work but he did not know the Greek language. He felt so much pleasure after reading Chapman's translation of Homer's work. Chapman had translated Homer's work very effectively.
Keats further says that he has read many books of romantic and classical tales. He has travelled in many countries of the thought of writers. Through their books, he has travelled in the mind of many writers. He has travelled in the different countries of imagination and fancy. Those books of different authors have given him great pleasure. After reading these books he feels pleasure as a poor man feels at the sight of the realm of gold.
Keats further says that he has been a great lover of Greek art and culture. He always wanted to study and read the Greek authors. He always has a curiosity for Homer's works but the reading of Chapman's translation filled his passion in full intensity. He read the works of Homer but he did not realize a great satisfaction for it but when he read the translation of Homer written by Chapman, he realized the quality of pure serenity of the poetry of Homer. Therefore Keats appreciates Chapman for his bold approach to Homer.
The poet says that now he has reached the kingdom of Homer after reading the translation of Chapman. Before it, he had no opportunity to visit Homer's kingdom. He compares his joy to an astronomer. He feels the same pleasure as an astronomer feels when he discovers a new planet.
Stanza--2
Then felt I---------Darien(lines 9-14)
In these lines, the poet expresses his great joy after reading the translation of Homer's Odyssey and Iliad. He says that he has never felt such a great joy. He sees the new world of imagination after reading Chapman's Homer. He was highly impressed with Homer. he compares his excitement to the joy of an astronomer. as an astronomer feels excited when a new star falls within the range of his telescope. Like this, he feels a great pleasure after reading Homer's translation through Chapman. In the same way, when Corten looked at the Pacific with his eyes. He discovered the new land. His fellow sailors became very excited after seeing a new land. like that the poet has no limit for his excitement after reading this work of translation.
Thus this poem is rich in poetic expression. It has beautiful phrases. The poet has presented his great expressions and thought in beautiful language. The poem is filled with wonder, thrill and great excitement. Thus the poem reveals that Keats was the great lover of Greek art and Hellenic spirit. It is written in Italian form. It has fourteen lines. It has an octave of eight lines and a sestet of six lines. The rhyming scheme is abba, abba, cdc, dcd. It is written in Iambic pentameter. Thus the poem presents the best poetic talent of John Keats.
