St. Agnes (poem)

"The Eve of St. Agnes" is a narrative poem written by John Keats, likely between January 23 and February 3, 1819, and published in 1820. It is considered one of Keats's major works. The poem tells the story of young Madeline, who performs a ritual on the eve of St. Agnes (January 20th) in the hopes of dreaming of her future husband.

Synopsis:

The poem is set in a medieval castle amidst a bitter winter. Madeline is a young woman who believes in the superstitious tradition that if a virgin performs certain rituals on the Eve of St. Agnes, she will dream of her true love. Her family, however, is feuding with the family of her beloved, Porphyro. Despite the danger, Porphyro is determined to see Madeline. He secretly enters the castle with the help of an old, sympathetic nurse named Angela. Angela hides Porphyro in Madeline's closet, instructing him to wait until she is asleep.

That night, Madeline performs the ritual, falling into a deep, trance-like sleep. Porphyro then emerges and awakens her, though she is still in a dreamlike state. He feeds her delicacies and woos her. The line between dream and reality becomes blurred. Porphyro then persuades Madeline to flee the castle with him under the cover of night.

Themes:

The poem explores several key themes, including:

• Love and Desire: The passionate and forbidden love between Madeline and Porphyro is central to the poem.
• Dreams and Reality: The blurring of the lines between dream and reality is a recurring motif. Madeline's expectations of the St. Agnes ritual and Porphyro's intrusion into her dream create a sense of uncertainty about what is real and what is imagined.
• Romance and the Supernatural: The poem blends elements of romance with the supernatural folklore surrounding St. Agnes' Eve.
• Class and Conflict: The feud between the families highlights the social barriers that the lovers must overcome.
• Mortality: The poem includes references to death and decay, contrasting with the youthful love of Madeline and Porphyro. Angela and Beadsman, who provided Porphyro and Madeline safe harbor, die during the night.

Literary Significance:

"The Eve of St. Agnes" is praised for its rich imagery, sensuous language, and evocative atmosphere. Keats employs vivid descriptions of the cold winter setting, the opulent castle interiors, and the emotions of the characters. The poem is also notable for its use of medievalism, drawing inspiration from the literature and legends of the Middle Ages. It remains a significant work in the Romantic tradition.

Interpretations:

The poem is open to various interpretations. Some critics view it as a celebration of romantic love and passion, while others focus on its darker aspects, such as the ambiguity of Porphyro's motives and the potential for the violation of Madeline's innocence. The ending is deliberately ambiguous, leaving the reader to question the lovers' ultimate fate.