of ways to write about it in an essay
The Eve of St Agnes is a poem written by English Romantic poet John Keats in 1819. It is one of Keats’s greatest works, and has been interpreted and admired for its lyrical beauty, its metaphysical and Christian symbolism, and its vivid account of a young woman’s journey of desire and its ultimate fulfilment. The poem follows a young girl named Madeline as she sets off on the night of St. Agnes, a traditionally auspicious night, to speak with her beloved. Along the way she shirks a supernatural attack, finds solace in a chapel, and is ultimately rewarded with a glimpse of her beloved.
1. A discussion of the poem’s romantic symbolism and how it relates to traditional European culture and beliefs.
2. An exploration of the religious symbolism of the poem, including its implications for a discussion of the Christian faith.
3. An analysis of the poem’s vivid language, examining how Keats’s imagery conveys the emotion of Madeline’s journey.
4. An examination of the poem’s use of dream symbolism, and how it reflects the theme of desire and fulfillment.
5. An exploration of the similarities between Madeline’s journey and some of Keats’s other works, and how the poem fits into the poet’s larger body of work.