Hyperion (poem)

Hyperion is an unfinished epic poem by the English Romantic poet John Keats. Keats began writing the poem in late 1818 and abandoned it in September 1819. It is written in blank verse and intended to be a mythological epic, modeled after the works of Homer and Milton.

The poem's central subject is the fall of the Titans, the old gods of Greek mythology, and the ascent of the Olympian gods led by Apollo. The narrative focuses on the Titans' suffering and struggle to comprehend their displacement. Hyperion, one of the Titans and the god of the sun, is a key figure, embodying the magnificence and tragedy of the old order.

The first two books of the poem were completed before Keats paused his work. They introduce the defeated Titans and establish the setting for the Olympian gods' ascendance. Key Titan characters introduced include Saturn, Oceanus, and Hyperion himself.

Keats's Hyperion is notable for its rich language, vivid imagery, and philosophical exploration of themes such as change, beauty, power, and the nature of divinity. The poem reflects Keats's characteristic concerns with aesthetic beauty and the transience of human existence.

Keats attempted to revise Hyperion in 1819, beginning a new version known as The Fall of Hyperion: A Dream. This fragment presents a different perspective, shifting the narrative frame to a dream vision where the poet-speaker encounters Moneta, a priestess of Memory. This revised version explores themes of poetic vocation and the relationship between suffering and artistic creation. However, Keats ultimately abandoned this version as well.

Despite being unfinished, Hyperion is regarded as a significant work of Romantic poetry. Its ambition, its exploration of complex themes, and its powerful language contribute to its enduring appeal. Its unfinished nature also lends itself to ongoing interpretation and critical discussion.