Government postgraduate Jahanzeb

college
English Department

Semester:05

Subject:Victorian and Romantic poetry

Assignment: Keats negative capabilities and

Escapism

Class number:03

Submitted to:Sir Irshad

Submitted by:Muskan Aslam

John Keats Negative capabilities :
John Keats, one of the most prominent Romantic poets, introduced the concept of "negative
capability" in a letter to his brothers in 1817. This concept stands as a foundational pillar of
Keats' poetic philosophy, reflecting a profound understanding of human nature, artistic
creativity, and the mysteries of existence.

Core Definition:
Negative capability, as conceptualized by Keats, embodies the capacity to embrace
uncertainty, mysteries, doubts, and conflicting emotions without the need for immediate
resolution or definitive answers. It's a willingness to exist in a state of ambiguity and
discomfort, acknowledging the limitations of human understanding without seeking to force
everything into fixed categories or explanations.

The Essence of Negative Capability:

Keats revered this capacity as a hallmark of artistic genius. He believed that the most adept
and imaginative individuals possess the ability to dwell in uncertainties, paradoxes, and
unanswered questions. In this state, the artist can delve into the depths of human
experience, transcending the limitations of logic and reason to access profound truths.

Impact on Keats' Poetry:

Keats' poetry is a testament to his embodiment of negative capability. In his celebrated odes
and other works, he explores themes such as the fleeting nature of beauty, the agony of
mortality, and the juxtaposition of joy and sorrow. Instead of providing definitive conclusions,
Keats revels in the exploration of these themes, inviting readers to engage with the
uncertainties and complexities inherent in human existence.

Deeper Implications:
The concept of negative capability extends beyond the artistic realm, encapsulating a
broader perspective on life. Keats' philosophy encourages an acceptance of the unknown,
urging individuals to embrace ambiguity and appreciate the beauty in the enigmatic aspects
of life. It advocates for a mindset that values the exploration of diverse perspectives and the
complexities of human emotions.

Legacy and Enduring Influence:

Keats' notion of negative capability has left an indelible mark on literature and philosophical
thought. Its influence spans generations, inspiring countless artists, writers, and thinkers.
This concept challenges the rigid confines of certainty and encourages a more open-minded
and empathetic approach to both art and life.

In summary, negative capability stands as a testament to Keats' profound understanding of

the human psyche and the creative process. It underscores the importance of embracing
uncertainty, ambiguity, and the unknown as catalysts for deeper insights, richer experiences,
and more profound artistic expression. Keats' legacy in introducing this concept continues to
resonate and inspire seekers of truth and beauty in the complexities of existence.

John Keats as a Escapist:

Escapism:
Escapism is the most important ingredients of romantic poetry. John Keats is called the most
romantic poet of his era because he is the most escapist of them all. He was born in an era
when everyone was talking about revolutionary ideas. It was the only subject matter to write
on but Keats kept himself away from it. He is a pure poet. Poetry of Keats has no morality.
He writes poems that directly hit the senses. His poems are entirely based on imagination.
Poetry for the sake of poetry is his agenda. Every ode of John Keats is evident that he is an
escapist. He always finds a way of creating fancy world so that he may forget worries of his
life.

Poetry of Escapism:
Poetry of escapism is associated to John Keats. If a poet writes romantic poetry than he
definitely is an escapist. This kind of poetry deals with imagination. John Keats finds this
world brutal, therefore, he wants to go far away from it. Even he is ready to accept death as
witnessed in “Ode to Nightingale”. Sufficiently, poetry of escapism is the name of fleeing from
real world and living in the world of imagination.

John Keats is the Most Escapist among Romantic Poets:

John Keats has a good power of imagination. He does not find any difficulty in its creation. In
that world he quests for beauty. Several reasons are there due to which he prefers ideal
world to to world of reality. He does so because he Quests for Beauty.
wants to forget pains and sorrows.
finds peace and harmony in imagination.
loves past.

Quest for Beauty:

John Keats loves beauty. For him, “A thing of beauty is joy forever”. In pursuance of it, he
creates a fancy world. His vision helps him in this regard. “Ode to Nightingale” is an example
of it, wherein he creates a perfect imaginary world. This ode is a dream but it pleases the
senses aesthetically. It should be remembered that romantic poets do not seek for a perfect
world; instead they create it with the help of their imagination.
John Keats does not only find beauty in nature but also in art. “Ode to Grecian Earn” can be
referred in this context. He says that art is beautiful and everlasting In this ode too, he
escapes to fancy world and quests for beauty.
Sometimes he finds beauty in art, sometimes in song of nightingale and somewhere he
appreciates nature. He can find beauty in each and everything even in truth. In “Ode to
Grecian Urn”, he writes:
“Beauty is truth, truth beauty, —that is all / Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know”
Hence, pursuance of beauty forces John Keats to be an escapist.
Sorrows and Sufferings Make John Keats an Escapist:
Sorrows and sufferings are there in everyone’s life and so as in the life of John Keats. It is
difficult to face them. However escapism is possible. John Keats’s life was full of sorrows. He
did not like the cruel world. Escapism was the only option for him. He was too sensitive. It is,
therefore, in most of his poems, his mood is gloomy. “Hyperion” is full of sorrows and
sufferings. Similarly, In “Ode to Autumn” he creates a gloomy atmosphere. He also
compares melancholy with joy and concludes that
Melancholy dwells with beauty, "beauty that must die,"
Similarly, in “Ode to Nightingale”, he wants to “fade far away” and “quite forget” the
“weariness, the fever, and the fret”.
Suffice is to say that miseries, sorrows and pains also forces John Keats to be an escapist .
Middleton Murry rightly adjudged the nature of John Keats. He said:-
“They (lines from Grecian Urn) contain deep wisdom purchased at the full price of deep
suffering. The Ode on a Grecian Urn is not a dream of unutterable beauty nor is the urn itself
the song of an impossible bliss beyond mortality. It has a precious message to mankind, not
as a thing of beauty which gives exquisite delight to the senses, but as a symbol and
prophecy of a comprehension of human life which mankind can attain.”
Middleton Murry on John Keats as an escapist.
Keats’ Love for Greeks:
In every ode of John Keats there is a reference to ancient Greeks. His Hellenism is much
famous. Shelley considers John Keats a Greek poet. It is because he takes interest in Greek
objects. He loves Greek sculptures. He also takes interest in Greek myths. When Homer’s
work translation was given to him, he experienced Greeks’ intellect. Poems of John Keats
depict either Greek or Medieval themes. Love for Greeks art seeks his attention. Physically
he can’t travel in the past. However, ideal world (imaginative world) is an option for him.
Thus, love for past also compels him to be an escapist.
It is essential for poetry of escapism to present the world of dreams instead of world of
reality. We know that world of romance is the subject matter of romantic poetry and it totally
depends on dreams and imagination. Escapism means to flee from real world and to live a
life in dreams. In other words, escapism means spending most of the time in imagination.
John Keats does so. He spends most of his time either with birds in forests or in the past not
physically but conceptually.