The Evolution Of Keats's Philosophy Of Nature

The present thesis surveys nature in Keats's poetry and poetics concluding with his evolution in philosophy of nature from his earlier craving for transcendence to his final acceptance of nature. Keats's philosophy of nature has gone through three periods, the first being his early period before 1818 with regard to imagination and art searching for transcendence of nature, the second the transitional period with doubt and anxiety about the ideal nature in imagination, and the third his final acceptance of actual nature with change of poetical concern to poetical character.By surveying studies concerned with the subject of nature, the context of Romanticism, Keats's development, Keats's poetics and interpretations of his poems, we assume that Keats's evolution in philosophy of nature is feasible and possible to invite due analysis.Chapter One analyses the concept and depiction of nature in Romantic period with the emphasis on imagination and emotion. Keats's nature poetics deals with the relationship between nature and imagination categorizing his early search for transcendence of nature. Within the context of celebrating nature as an ever Elysium in Romanticism, Keats searches for a paradise of enchantment with dream, magic and imagination. In "Sleep and Poetry", "I Stood Tiptoe", "Endymion", Keats intends to create a mythical nature enjoying its salvation and bowery consolation, however, his transcendence of nature is between the lines. Accordingly, this chapter deals mainly with Keats's poetics and poetry concerning supernatural point of view in his early period from the beginning of his poetic career to 1818.Chapter Two discusses Keats's transitional period of his philosophy of nature from the aspects of biographical and mental background, Keats's realistic consciousness in romances. The events of 1818, the ruin of his health, Tom's disease and inevitable lost love together with gradually increased philosophical consciousness set the background for Keats's transition to realistic nature. Moreover, Keats's realm has always been overshadowed with inauspicious premonition as he wakes and doubts the trueness of imagination. Realistic depiction of nature with cruelty, inevitability of process, death, perfuse in the "Hyperion", "The Fall of Hyperion", "The Eve of St. Agnes", "La Belle Dame sans Merci", "The Eve of St. Agnes" and "Lamia". The transitional period discards his early transcendence of nature forecasting the final acceptance of nature.Chapter Three concludes with Keats's final acceptance of nature from the aspects of his poetics and poetry. The poetical concern diverts to the relationship between nature and poet marking Keats's exploration into actual nature. On the other hand, Keats wakes up from his ideal and dreamy world and returns to nature obviously in his great odes "Ode to Psyche", "Ode to Nightingale" and "Ode on a Grecian Urn". Maturity and consummation come with "To Autumn" in which Keats opts for a realistic nature and balanced relationship between nature and poet. That is what the chapter concentrates on the period after 1818 to the end of his creation in which Keats entails great change and zenith of his poetical career.The conclusion brings Keats's philosophy of nature to the question between nature and imagination, nature and poet. It is hoped that this thesis would offer a new perspective on exploring Keats's philosophy of nature and on deciphering Keats's unique contribution to poetics on nature.