Lamia analysis

Question 1

Synopsis of the poem

Answer 1

The poem tells how the god Hermes hears of a nymph who is more beautiful than all. Hermes, searching for the nymph, instead comes across Lamia, trapped in the form of a serpent. She reveals the previously invisible nymph to him and in return, he restores her human form. She seeks a youth of Corinth, Lycius, while Hermes and his nymph depart together into the woods. However, the relationship between Lycius and Lamia is destroyed when the sage Apollonius reveals Lamia’s true identity at their wedding feast, whereupon she seemingly disappears and Lycius dies of grief.

Question 2

‘Drove Nymph and Satyr from the prosperous woods,’

line 2

Answer 2

nymph is associated with Hermes; pastoral setting idealises the creatures of the forest as pure

Question 3

‘a forest on the shores of Crete.’

‘sacred island’

lines 12-13

Answer 3

early setting is idealised; contrasts Corinth which is associated with threat, scrutiny and immorality

Question 4

‘hoofed Satyrs’

line 14

Answer 4

hinting at lawless passion and misadventure → followers of Dionysus

Question 5

‘wreathed tomb’

line 39

Answer 5

visual image of ouroboros; serpent

Question 6

‘wreathed tomb’

line 39

Answer 6

symbolises cycles and foreshadows that Lamia cannot escape her true supernatural nature

Question 7

‘palpitating snake,’

line 46

Answer 7

negative connotations → hinting at vulnerability an in contrast the shake symbolises the devil; Lamia’s inevitable downfall?

Question 8

‘She was a gordian shape of dazzling hue,

Vermillion spotted, golden, and blue;’

lines 48-49

Answer 8

highlighting Lamia’s animalistic nature; bright colours on animals means danger

Question 9

‘She was a gordian shape of dazzling hue,

Vermillion spotted, golden, and blue;’

lines 48-49

Answer 9

imagery of great beauty

Question 10

‘Thou beauteous wreath, with melancholy eyes,’

line 87

Answer 10

link between beauty and pain; Keats belief in veil of soul-making - one had to experience pain and suffering in order to know true beauty

Question 11

‘It was no dream; or say a dream it was,’

line 131

Answer 11

liminal space between dreams and reality, dangerous power of the Gods

Question 12

‘Her eyes in torture fixed, and anguish drear,’

line 156

Answer 12

suffering increased, pity felt for Lamia; utter pain as beauty comes at a price → tragic victim?

Question 13

‘Whither fled Lamia,’

line 79

Answer 13

new paragraph and new name shows a new beginning with her transformation; humanised

Question 14

‘With curled grey beard, sharp eyes, and smooth bald
crown,’

line 374-5

Answer 14

old and observant, wise character and representation of reason, realism and logical within poem → features of a tragic hero

Question 15

‘woe afterwards befell,’

line 407

Answer 15

truth equals beauty, contrasting the characteristics of Lamia

Question 16

‘What mortal hath a prize,’

line 467

Answer 16

hubris; lycius objectifying Lamia

Question 17

‘She burnt, she loved the tyranny,’

line 491

Answer 17

self destructive; male gaze so ambiguity

Question 18

‘Hast any mortal name,’

line 499

Answer 18

doesn’t know before proposal; suggests Keats uses negative capability to signify Lycius’ ignorance

Question 19

‘Old Apollonius - from he keep me hid.’’

line 512

Answer 19

Apollo beat a serpent god, raises tensions → foreshadows Lamia’s tragic conclusion

Question 20

‘mimicking a glade’

line 537

Answer 20

decoration of banqueting hall is reminiscent of initial setting of Crete; mirrors Lamia’s loss of identity by sacrificing too much for love

Question 21

‘Philosophy will clip an Angel’s wings,’

line 650

Answer 21

rationally destroys romance and the mythical

Question 22

‘Begone foul dream!’

line 688

Answer 22

anagorisis; unsure of whether its in horror of Lamia’s death or at the realisation of the spell

Question 23

‘And, in its marriage robe, the heavy body wound.’

line 728

Answer 23

lack of resolution to the poem; Lycius dies and Apollonius receives no punishment for the death of Lamia