‘Do I wake or sleep’? –The Progression of Negative Capability in John Keats’ Poetry

Abstract

The concept of negative capability- a well-known notion, is projected in Keats’ poetry and also widely receives diverse interpretive notions. Practiced by the poet, in a predominant fashion, the lyrical poetry and odes of Keats reflect negative capability as an illustration of his theory of creativity. This is achieved through tracing the working of a sensuous path towards an imaginative experience that the canon of Romanticism is known for. This paper conducts an in-depth exploration of Keats’ poetry and letters and debates as to how the Romantic poet –narrator develops a connection with an urge for ‘escapism’ and a progressive reassessment of identity, imagination and creativity.  This paper probes into questions like why and how Keats’ depicts a paradoxical inclination towards residing in the corporeal world and in the imaginary world at the same time.  Moreover, it is explored as to how Keats’ poetry attains sublimity by using negative capability and how this practice gains perpetual development in his successive poems. It is also deciphered as to what inspires the poet to impart an experience of aspiring for the worlds beyond and attaining a visionary gusto. It is concluded that Negative capability is essentially and intrinsically connected with the notion of ‘existential un-certainity’ in the writings of Keats. Moreover, as Keats’ successive poetic works attain an increased sense of sublimity, the poets’ potential of employing negative capability also increases. Thus, the poetry of John Keats is a remarkable example of experimentation with the art of writing and the realm of experience.