ipl-logo

Summary Of John Keats Lamia

1190 Words5 Pages

“Lamia”
Lamia is a monster with the body of a human that supposedly preys upon humans (Lamia, n.). John Keats’ “Lamia” is a narrative poem describing the short life of Lamia, a woman turned serpent to woman by a god in exchange for her assistance. Upon being transformed, she seeks out a youth, Lycius, and they fall in a dream-like love (296-7), living in seclusion until he insists on showing their love to the world; despite her reluctance, a wedding procession takes place, in which a conflict between her illusionary state, and the philosopher, Apollonius, resulting in the vanishing of Lamia, and death of Lycius. Philosophy and mythology are a continuous theme throughout the story and are painted as separate ideas and entities; the differences …show more content…

Apollonius, personifying philosophy, purposefully rejects mythology literally by causing Lamia’s death –turning into a shade suggests transformation into a form of a dead person, and inhabiting Hades’ domain (Shade, n, II.6.a) –and metaphorically by deconstruction of rainbows. Apollonius is described as having “sharp eyes …, [a] philosophic gown, (364-5)” “[an] eye severe …, calm-planted steps …, [and an] austere, (157-8)” nature; he is a rational, and thoughtful individual who does not “[hurry] maz’d, curious, and keen (156)” when confronted with something unusual or new, while also avoiding the sloth, and excess the other townsfolk live in (350-61). Apollonius’ actions were purposeful, and he is vocal about “doing this wrong, (168)” when he comes to the wedding to expose Lamia. Because Lamia is described in uncertain terms, according to the Realms of Forms idea, she is ill-fitting based on Platonic philosophy –Lycius is stated to be a scholar in platonic philosophy (236), considering Apollonius is his “trusty guide And good instructor; (375-6)” he is only able to characterize her nature in one construct, one form. His negative characterization of Lamia as a serpent and Lamia (260-305) illustrates Apollonius’ disregard for her more mythological side, which may suggest his disregard for mythology in general. As well, the reader is aware that Hermes …show more content…

This transformation led to the cultivation of her love with Lycius, and his inadvertent change in ideology. When their love attempted to enter openness, it caught the attention of Apollonius, who in his spite, caused Lamia’s and Lycius’ deaths due to difference in ideologies. Because philosophy and mythology differed in their attitudes on uncertainties, Lamia’s corporeal transformation, hybrid nature acted as catalysts for escalation of the philosophy-mythology conflict, resulting in more than the mere loss of

Show More
Related

  • Analysis Of Aeneid And Sallust's Conspiracy Of Catiline

    938 Words  | 4 Pages

    These mythical individuals show characteristics that are both valued and those that could be seen as inferior. In Sallust’s Conspiracy of Catiline, Catiline, the antagonist of his own story, is described as having some of these characteristics and how he displays them changes others perspective on him. With each of these characteristics that a Roman would have seen as positive were painted in a negative light because Sallust tells the audience instances where Catiline used these gifts in harmful ways. In contrast Aeneas, in Virgil’s Aeneid, is described and assigned what are thought of as the same Roman attributes, but these are held a positive approach compared to Sallust’s description of Catiline. The first example of this can be seen in the fifth section Sallust tells the audience of Catiline’s noble upbringing and is described as intelligent, ambitious, and as a brilliant solider.

    Read More

  • Femininity In The Bacchae

    1224 Words  | 5 Pages

    Greek Mythology is notoriously anti-female revolution. From Aeschylus’s depiction of Clytemnestra’s thirst for power to one’s own Euripides’ depiction of Medea’s rampage of revenge, Greek mythology is terrified of powerful women. The Bacchae by Euripides makes no exception and continues stifling female empowerment; however, Euripides adds his own unique spin on terrifying female depiction. Instead of just representing women in power as monsters to fear, he instead blames femininity as the culprit. He uses the Bacchae, Dionysus, and Pentheus as examples of the danger in accessing one’s own femininity.

    Read More

  • Agathon's Symposium Speech Analysis

    700 Words  | 3 Pages

    The various ideologies of love mentioned by speakers in Plato’s Symposium portrayed the social and cultural aspect of ancient Greece. In the text, there were series of speeches given by Phaedrus, Pausanias, Eryximachus, Aristophanes, Socrates, and Agathon about the idea of love, specifically the effect and nature of Eros. Within the speakers, Agathon’s speech was exceptional in that his speech shifted the focus of the audience from effect of Eros on people, to the nature and gifts from the Eros. Despite Agathon’s exceptional remarks about Eros, Socrates challenged Agathon’s characterization of Eros through utilization of Socratic Method.

    Read More

  • Deception And Trickery In Homer's Odyssey

    1791 Words  | 8 Pages

    Athena assists Odysseus not simply for her enjoyment, but also to help the hero Odysseus destroy the villainous suitors, which completes fate. Since Athena is a goddess, who holds much power, the poem seems to validate her deception. The text suggests it is not uncommon for gods to disguise themselves while visiting the mortal world or assist humans in their own acts of deception, and therefore deception and trickery are not presented as erroneous in the

    Read More

  • Essay On Symposium And Lysistrata

    978 Words  | 4 Pages

    In Lysistrata, men and women were entangled in an unhealthy relationship; it was based on the objectification of human beings. They didn’t care about anything but sexual pleasure. Women didn’t give much thought about how men are using them as a sex object and men didn’t concern themselves about their wives, families or even household responsibilities. One of the most compelling examples in the play, that supports

    Read More

  • Comparing Women In Aristophanes Lysistrata And Homer's Odyssey

    1005 Words  | 5 Pages

    In Ancient Greek Civilization, women were viewed as submissive. A man always controlled the women; that either being the Father or Husband. Women were forced to stay in the house and complete all household duties. Women were not even granted the right to attend assemblies, participate in politics, or even represent themselves in court. Having little to no overall power in your society can have a huge burden on Women but this can also fuel certain Women to strive to change the society they live in.

    Read More

  • Plutarch's The Life Of Marius Analysis

    1492 Words  | 6 Pages

    In order to complete any analysis of the Life of Marius, it is necessary to understand the author and context of the work. Plutarch himself was a Greek who lived from 46-127AD,

    Read More

  • The Gods And Mortals In Homer's The Odyssey

    610 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Odyssey, gods like Athena and Poseidon interfere with humans to satisfy their own desires, showing that they are just as imperfect and flawed as the mortals that they rule over. Athena favors Odysseus since he reminds her of herself. He portrays the same cunning, guile, and intelligence as she does; Athena had confided to him that “two of a kind, we are, contrivers, both,” comparing how similar they are. “Of all men now alive,” she says, “you are the best in plots and story telling.

    Read More

  • Hellenistic Vs Classical Greece Essay

    1161 Words  | 5 Pages

    The Hellenistic period saw scholars who concentrated on reason as opposed to the mission for truth. These logicians had a key view for reason as the way to tackling issues, and they prevented the likelihood from claiming achieving truth. Rather, we see philosophers return to a dependence on confidence - tolerating the failure to know truth. The major philosophical gatherings of this period incorporate the Cynics, Epicureans, Stoics, and Skeptics. Not at all like the Hellenic time frame, not very many individual rationalists existed free of these schools of

    Read More

  • Ambiguity In To Autumn And La Belle Dame Sanns Merci

    1170 Words  | 5 Pages

    Ambiguity in John Keats poems Applied to the poems To Autumn and La Belle Dame Sans Merci The following essay treats the problem of ambiguity in John Keats poems To Autumn and La Belle Dame Sans Merci. Ambiguity is treated by the structuralism school and is presented as an intrinsic, inalienable character of any self-focused message, briefly a corollary feature of poetry. Not only the message itself but also its addresser and addressee become ambiguous.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Lysistrata By Aristophanes

    1568 Words  | 7 Pages

    Introduction The purpose of this essay is to investigate the women’s role in Classical Greece society and literature (5th/4th century b.C.). Therefore, I decided to discuss and analyse one of the most controversial comedies of that time, “Lysistrata” by Aristophanes. This text shows how women, sick of their submissive and powerless position in the political scenario of Athens and Sparta, come on the scene and, through a smart stratagem, achieve their expected result.

    Read More

  • Blindness In Oedipus Rex

    760 Words  | 4 Pages

    In Ancient Greek mythology, fate is the focal point of many plays and is significant in establishing the catharsis that Greek tragedies provide for the audience. The playwrights use the catharsis to allude to the general theme that people cannot escape their fate, and using symbolism is an effective way to emphasize the theme. Sophocles, the Ancient Greek playwright of Oedipus Rex, uses the symbolism of blindness to develop the play’s theme and teach the audience a lesson about fate. Sophocles uses blindness to symbolize to ability to see truth and accept fate.

    Read More

  • Eavan Boland's Daphne With Her Thighs In Bark

    1005 Words  | 5 Pages

    A mythological story can express a valuable message to its readers, advising them to choose a certain path when making decisions and to stray away from what can harm them. It can also give an artist, whether it is a painter or a poet, the inspiration to express their intake of what was given to them. The expression can show support of a character’s decision, show sadness towards a character’s place in the myth, or relate the myth to a real-life occurrence. When poet Eavan Boland was reading Book 1 of Ovid’s Metamorphosis, she wanted to express a different meaning of the story of Daphne by writing “Daphne with her Thighs in Bark”. She did this by using a feminist approach while looking back at Daphne’s fate.

    Read More

  • Summary Of Erich Auerbach's Odysseus Scar

    473 Words  | 2 Pages

    The appearance of stability of the Greek patriarchy is seen to be much greater than that of the Biblical nature because the jobs of the classes and sexes are clearly defined within Greek life where the variance in the lives Biblical tribes, due to their nomadic nature, sometimes masks the patriarchy within their society. The realistic depiction of the Greek daily life, while still far removed, is contrasted against the Old testament stories, which lack the peace of daily life. The final comparison between the two texts is how their styles represent the two basic types of ancient epics with the Homeric style being fully externalized, “displaying unmistakable meanings” (23), while the Old Testament has sayings with many meanings that require interpretation. The text finishes by stating that since the Homeric and Old Testament styles are starting points for the analysis, we cannot consider anything that pertains to their

    Read More

  • Tragedy In Oedipus The King

    848 Words  | 4 Pages

    Greek theatre was formed back in 500 BC by the Greek civilisation that used performing, miming and dancing as ways and means to tell stories, imitate others and for their rituals. They were two forms of plays that were showcased in the City of Dionysia; tragedy and satyr. The City of Dionysia was the festival celebrating the God Dionysus. Throughout this essay I will be describing the characteristics of Greek tragedy while using Sophocles’ ‘ Oedipus the King’ as a reference.

    Read More

More about Summary Of John Keats Lamia

Open Document