Lamia part 2 Flashcards
“cinders, ashes, dust”
Song II starts with Keats’ cynicism of love. Love is compared to “cinders”, “ashes”, and “dust”. It is comparatively worthless or even destructive and harmful.
“Had Lycius lived to hand his story down”
The omniscient narrator leaves us in no doubt that Lycius will die by the end of the poem.
Assuming knowledge of something that hasn’t happened yet is called prolepsis
“To breed distrust and hate, that make the soft voice hiss”
Allusion to the metaphorical snake.
This foreshadows Lamia’s illusion fading away.
It also demonstrates that no matter how strong Lamia’s facade is, it cannot last forever and she can never escape her curse.
“Love, jealous”
oxymoron or juxtaposition
The unhealthy nature of their relationship is emphasized by the implications of ‘love’ being next to ‘jealous’.
“Hovered and buzzed”
The animalistic onomatopoeic words further foreshadow the uncovering of Lamia’s character as non-human`
“the passage cast a glow upon the floor”
The magical imagery characterises the sense of wonder in this poem and brings back the sublime sense of beauty.
“Upon a couch, near to a curtaining/…Floated into the room, and let appear”
The floaty ethereal imagery represents the lack of substance in the life that Lycius and Lamia have built together. Nothing is solid, nothing is real.
In the Romantic sense, it is as if their ‘reality’ is nothing but a dream, which (especially for Keats) greatly foreshadows how the transition back to reality will be even harsher.
“Deafening the swallow’s twitter, came a thrill/ Of trumpets”
Symbolically connoting the fragility of their love, the slightest noise has the potential to shatter their relationship.
Keats uses the Romantic idea of opposition, contrasting the outburst of noise to the serene setting previously, so as to make the difference more shocking and foreshadow danger.
“But left a thought, a buzzing in his head”
Links back to part 1
Thought, and by extension Reason, is the antagonist. When we begin to think, we begin to lose our imagination. While Lycius is thinking, he is getting further and further away from Lamia
“sweet sin”
The alliterative oxymoron encapsulates Lycius’ dilemma.
Could refer to the fall of man and the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve succumbed to temptation and took the apple (apples are sweet and delicious). Imagery of devilish serpents are used in the Biblical story and this poem
“That but a moments thought is a passions passing bell”
no longer blindly in love
lust is wearing off
Is Lycius changing?
The bell can also symbolise the death knell – the tolling of a bell to mark someone’s death. It marks the ‘death’ of their love but also foreshadows their imminent demise.
“Why do you think? returned she tenderly”
repeated interrogatives - suspense and panic
Lamia is upset as she can foresee the downfall of their relationship. She cannot exist in the real, rational world and Lycius cannot understand her. - tragic feature
“labyrinth you there”
Lycius wants to possess Lamia and show her off. It is this foolish, flawed, human desire that will lead to their tragic end.
“a prize”
Reification. objectification
feminist perspective - Lamia is seen as vulnerable here arguably
“I should rejoice”
Lycius wishes to parade their love. His excessive pride in their relationship acts as his hubris.
