Eve of Saint Agnes - Keats Flashcards
Who is St Agnes? What is the legend behind her?
Patron Saint of Young Virgins
Legend says thar virgins may see their future husband in their dreams if they perform a certain ritual and routine before bed
When is the Eve of Saint Agnes?
January 20th
What type of stanza does Keats use throughout the poem?
Spenserian Stanza - the alexandrine that ends the stanza slows the pace, adding to the dream-like quality of the poem
How is the ending ambiguous?
the fate of the two lovers is unknown, leaving an unresolved ending as we don’t know if they survived or not
How is there a cyclical structure in EOSA?
Poem returns to the imagery of coldness and the beadsman implying the only conclusion for love is death (inevitability)
How can it be interpreted that Porphyro is the tragic villain?
Porphyro exploits the ritual Madeline is taking part in and r*pes her, consequently forcing her to marry him due to societies expectations of a woman’s virginity
How can Porphyro be seen as a hero?
He saves Madeline from the ‘hot blooded lords’ that are her family
What does the tale of Madeline and Porphyro resemble?
Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet - the lovers are star-crossed and separated due to their families’ conflict
What AoT are present?
Misjudgement - M cannot distinguish reality form dream
Pride/Hubris - P assumes M wants to be with him
Treatment of Women - Madeline was violated
Tragic victims / Tragic Hero / Tragic Villain
I will not harm her…
by all saints I swear
They glided…
like phantoms
My bride…
My Madeline
like a missioned…
spirit unaware
far apart from…
wicked men like thee
Angela to P
these Lovers fled…
away into the storm
