hrough TheWorks From Alexander Pope and John KeatsDifferences Between 18th Century Literature and Romantic Poetry Seen Through TheWorks From Alexander Pope and John KeatsThe differences between eighteenth-century literature and romantic poems,with respect to history is constituted here. This is seen through theinfluential works of John Keats and Alexander Pope. These works areacknowledged as, “The Rape of Lock” and “The Eve of St. Agnes.
” Alexander Popetakes his readers on a hatred filled epic. A robust piece of literature andlove induced psychoses in, “The Rape of Lock. ” On the other hand, “The Eve ofSt. Agnes” told a tale of life, love, death, and eternal fate in heaven. Thesetwo brilliant writers have given two magnificent poems. Pope exhibits manycharacteristics of a narcissistic human being.
His independence in life showsthrough his writings in fiction. Which inevitably portray his deeper feelingsof life. Popes’ efforts here are of outstanding quality. However, his poem didfail to convince Arabella to rsum her engagement to Lord Petre. Most ofPope’s efforts here were written with time. Now, Keats has romanticallyserenaded his reader with descriptive lust and desire, which can be comparedwith popes’ efforts by the difference in eighteenth century literature andromantic poems, their descriptive natures and ideas they portray to the readerthrough their writing.
Pope has written an eighteenth-century poem which he calls, “An Hero-Comical Poem. ” This poem has exalted an over all sense of worthlessness forcommon rules. The mentioning of Achilles and the ever-popular Aeneas, aresymbols of Pope’s Gothic style. Pope speaks (almost) G-D like throughout, “TheRape of Lock.
” Contrary to Keats, who is more down-to-earth with his sense ofrealism in his writings. In the beginning of Keats romantic premise to life inSt. Agnes, all is cold. The opening sequence brings a sense of realism to thisbitter cold scene. Cold owls, rabbit’s, and numb fingers on a holy, “Beadsman. ” The Beads man symbolizes the sense of age and spirit.
Much of this poemis a test of Keats inner soul or spirit. He has lead himself to St. Agnes forhis own personal account of life in a time long gone. Keats’ romantic style hasbrought visionary raw emotion to the aching hearts of all his readers.
Then,both poems go separate ways in their tales of body and spirit. Taking account of all differences in these two works, has brought out asense of unknown extasy. Pope displays morality with his own twists on fate andman kind’s inability to rationalize right decision making in life. Hecomplicates this with, “Moral superiority” and his visions of old stylesblended with his attitude for recognition. Pope has indulged the reader inconsistent religious order, and awkward justice for mankind. However, whenviewing Keats poem stanza by stanza, much is revealed.
Keats’ tale starts as adirect eagerness for future considerations. His image of love and old agecreates a stifled knot in the stomach of the reader. Enthusiastic resistance isovercome by Keats smooth flow, and harmonizing beauty in heaven. Angels anddeath are brought together like osmosis.
His ability to start off in a coldbitter atmosphere of regret, and then sway the reader’s emotion to a peacefulloving atmosphere is in itself astonishing. Desire brings Keats to theheightened point of emotional gratification within, “The Eve of St. Agnes. ” St. Agnes is such a peaceful age-old memory for Keats.
He presents strength whenpain is being inflicted. His early images of purgatory, show Keats in a bind ofhuman emotion and regret for past sins. However, Pope does thisas wellthroughout, “The Rape of Lock. ” Although, Pope is less likely to find a happymedium in his tale of tolerance. He does manage to relinquish all his desiresfor the sake of his own inner strength. This strength is portrayed moreintensely through his soul.
Memories are key to the anguish of the poem. Inall of Keats mediocre issues come love and honor. The entire tenth stanza iscaused by the emotions involved with love. However, this must leave somereaders at a loss. Keats doesn’t seem to really care whether anybodyunderstands him. Keats only concern is to repent and achieve harmony in lifewith his body and soul.
Each of these two poets has signified their lack ofrealism with a substantial concern for age-old myth, and undeniable love. Theportrayal of love in each poem has brought most of the emotional satisfactionfrom the reader. Hence, having observed these two magnificent artists for theirpersonal adherence to the reader, it is necessary to delve into the emotionalcollaboration of imagery and its effect on the mind, body, and soul of the twosides involved in each reading. Imagery can sustain many possible contradictions on the writer’sintentions. For instance, Keats hides his characters(Porphro and Madeline) inorder to present a more lustful in-depth love.
Safety is a key to Keats’prolific attitude on the secrecy of a woman’s virginity. A wholesome outlook isalways in the future, it would seem. However, this outlook is never reachedthroughout the poem. In comparison with Pope, Keats has distinguished himselfin his writing. Pope relies on old myths and obscure legends in order toachieve his outcome of clarity.
Each writer has their own hero of the day. Ineach writer’s mind is the idea that one can be g-d through their own scripture. Each must be excused for not always being able to know what is still real andwhat is fiction in life. Their expensive minds have brought their own personaltruth to light. Can they hear the crying of their love sick pasts? In classicstyle, Pope has brought dreams to reality.
While Keats has more realisticallyattended to his personal experiences. In addition to women, love, g-d, sex,soul, mind, and body, Keats and Pope have taken different outlooks on manysimilar issues. Keats has given the reader a more intense feeling of desire andlust, then Pope. However, when myth and love collide Alexander Pope hasanswered with his tale of g-d’s, angels and afterlife. As an empiricalnarcissistic person, I have romanticized about the romances Keats has described.
His inner thoughts are more clear, then those of Pope. Additionally, Pope ismore morbid and in a way sour about his shortcomings in life. Which areexpressed significantly in many of Pope’s images. For instance, “poetic eyes”is used by Pope on line 124. This image can be expressed as a better way forthe reader to see that life imitates art! Now, viewing both works in detail hasbrought out an arousal of insecurity and misunderstood quality. However, eachhas distinguished its own identity by its style.
Referring back to the comparison of Pope and Keats styles can be quitean enhancement upon the cerebral context in each poem. Pope has strictlyconcerned himself with literary merit, and ghostly apparitions of old tales thathaunt all writers of the possibility for brilliance. Keats however, has stakedhis claim as a romantic idealist of love and thought. Mind, body and soul arekey factors in both of these works. Heaven is portrayed as a savior to man, andan unforsaken goal for others.
Spirituality reigns deep within the hearts ofboth Keats and Pope. Consequence is not an issue, but the ability to repentthrough words of wisdom is. This is what keeps Keats and Pope sane(As well asmany other writers, including myself). With wisdom comes age, and with desirecomes lust.
Therefore, romantic poets need to be preserved for their tremendousability to stretch the common ability to comprehend all of life’s trials andtribulations as seen here in all its glory!
