On first looking into Chapman's Homer

Notes

(A petrarchan sonnet)
One octave and one sestet– very structured
abba abba cdcdcd structure
Its mythological– form echoes theme
Allegorical poem- characters and events represent particular qualities/ ideas related to religion/politics.

Much have I travell'd in the realms of gold,

Rich and high of status

And many goodly states and kingdoms seen;
Round many western islands have I been

Sounding like he's trying to be clever– sarcastic?

Which bards in fealty to Apollo hold.
Oft on one wide expanse had I been told

Exploring new territories

That deep-brow'd Homer ruled as his demesne;
Yet did I never breathe its pure serene

Reference to his illness of TB

Till I heard Chapman speak out loud and bold:
Then felt I like some watcher of the skies

Change of tone (volta)- mood shifts. Language and tone is bolder

When a new planet swims into his ken;
Or like stout Cortez when with eagle eyes

Visionary– foresee the future
Cortez– parallel to Keats?

He star'd at the Pacific - and all his men
Look'd at each other with a wild surmise -
Silent, upon a peak in Darien.

Keats is alone– no one understands what he feels. The hyphens extend the idea of waiting– a pause that could last for eternity.

Contrast between loud and silent– reflective like in the water of the pacific

Semantic field of royalty

On first looking into Chapman's Homer Worksheet