Research Scholar
An International Refereed e-Journal of Literary Explorations
ISSN 2320 – 6101
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REALM OF AESTHETICISM IN KEATS PERCEPTION OF
TRUTH AND BEAUTY
Mrs. N. Subhadra Chari
Assistant Professor in English
Kamal Institute of Higher Education and
Advanced Technology,
New Delhi, Delhi 110059
Abstract
John Keats, representative poet of romantic age, abstractly defined the
truth as beauty in his ode and these phenomenal lines aroused curiosity to
know in-depth analysis of beauty defined by philosophers in English
literature. The word beauty strike several connotations regarding its
perception and this assortment reflect in assimilation with nature of art, &
beauty in the world of literature. Keats poetry is known for its
sensuousness and spontaneous presentation of nature. In his poems
symbolism figures out presentation of human euphoria of mind, body and
soul seeking in the laps of eternal beauty of nature. His poetry enlivens the
source and origin of beauty and inspires to explore the background of the
philosophy behind it. Reading texts of Aesthetic theory cultivates a
deeper understanding of the theories and applying them to study Keats
philosophy of beauty in broader context of his poetry. The aim of this
paper presentation is to be acquainted with Keats ideology of beauty and
to critically analyze within the perspective of truthfulness, greatly
emphasized by aesthetic philosophers in English literature.
Keywords: connotations, assortment, aesthetic, euphoria, ideology,
delineate .
"Beauty is truth, truth beauty," – that is all
Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know.
“Ode on a Grecian Urn" by John Keats
Introduction
Alexander Baumgartner coined the word Aesthetic. It is a branch of philosophy dealing with the
nature of art, beauty, and taste, with the creation and appreciation of beauty. ‘Beauty lies in the
eyes of the Beholders’ delineate the importance of observer’s appreciation but formative
concepts of aesthetic theory differ with this in form and content in defining beauty. It was
defined differently by Greek philosophers, for instance Plato explained beauty as a form in
Vol. 3 Issue III
August, 2015
187
Research Scholar
An International Refereed e-Journal of Literary Explorations
ISSN 2320 – 6101
www.researchscholar.co.in
Impact Factor 0.998 (IIFS)
which beautiful objects partake and which causes them to be beautiful. Aristotle defined it as
universal elements of beauty with order, symmetry and definiteness. In the late 18 th century it
emerged as a field of enquiry in understanding and interpreting the intrinsic and extrinsic
characteristics of beauty in individual reflecting on society beautifying the existence itself.
Alexander Baumgartner describes aesthetic to be the science of the sense experiences. Immanuel
Kant depicts judgment of a subjective but similar human truth. Friedrich Schiller explained it as
a perfect reconciliation of the sensual and rational parts of human nature. Francis Hutchison
disclosed it as inner mental senses and Shaftesbury defined it as sensory version of moral
goodness. These definitions and theories from eminent philosophers distinctively states beauty to
be subjective or objective based on persons observation. The interesting question dwells on
which definition leads closer to Keats ideology of beauty and truth depicted in his poetry.
KEATS IDEOLOGY OF BEAUTY AND TRUTH
Keats beauty is timeless in his poetry and his odes beautify the nature revealing eternal truth in
its entity. In his Ode to Nightingale, initially poet escapes from physical world to the land of
fancy through the wings of imagination but truth shattered his fascination enlightening the power
of truth in beauty.
Adieu! the fancy cannot cheat so well
As she is fam'd to do, deceiving elf.
Truth beautifies the beauty and absence of truth in beauty is ephemeral. This symbolic concept of
his beauty adds uniqueness to his truth.
First great aesthetician of English literature, Shaftesbury, emphasized on moral beauty in his
work, ‘an enquiry concerning virtue or merit’ and defined beauty is virtuous deeds. Keats in the
above line virtuously refused to be deceived by fascination.
Ah, happy, happy boughs! that cannot she
Your leaves, nor ever bid the Spring adieu;
In his ode on a Grecian urn, he expressed happiness in enjoying the exquisiteness of timeless art
and this truth is beauty.
When old age shall this generation waste,
Thou shalt remain, in midst of other woe
The beauty of art lies in truth and older generations preserves the art for future
generations to admire the beauty of human creation.
Keats expressed happiness as eternal in his poem, ‘A thing of beauty is a joy for ever’
from his poem Endymion. Such beautiful expression of truth from such a young poet who died
young is remarkable. Teaching Keats poetry stimulates mind with new energy and excitement to
appreciate nature’s beauty captured in everlasting truth. Imagination, fancy, supernatural
elements, devils &demons, Gods, etc in his poetry are depicted to present the readers a world
away from reality. Readers enjoy and float with the pictorial expression of the poetic lines. As
his poem proceeds one can gradually understand that it logically ends with realistic conclusions
that appeal to the rational mind putting an end to the initial world of fascination. His description
of nature’s beauty with colors of seasonal changes in ode to autumn and indifference of lady love
in his ballad ‘La Belle Dame sans Merci’ captivates the mind and soul of the readers
astoundingly leaving no choice except to agree with the poet. It’s amazing to analyze his poetry
has such spontaneity that surpasses all non-natural situations to create poetry. In the context of
Augustan age of English literature where impulsiveness was discarded and nature considered
Vol. 3 Issue III
August, 2015
188
Research Scholar
An International Refereed e-Journal of Literary Explorations
ISSN 2320 – 6101
www.researchscholar.co.in
Impact Factor 0.998 (IIFS)
being a tutor, keats poetry brought a new angle to admire nature. His wide ranges of themes in
poetry astonish the readers and acknowledge his poetic achievement in the English literature.
Conclusion
Appreciating the poetry of Keats reveals the striking bond of beauty and truth in his poems. In
his ode to nightingale he pessimistically describes the beauty of human body which is fragile and
love to be futile. His imagination is very engrossing similarly his expression of truth is
irrefutable that beautifies his poetry. One can appreciate beautiful depiction of feelings that
enhances his poetry and express his truth passionately agreeable to his readers.
Work cited
The history of English literature by Compton-Rickett
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August, 2015
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