Hellenism in John Keats's Poetry: An Exploration of Ancient Influence and Aesthetic Values

Abstract

John Keats, one of the most celebrated Romantic poets, infused his poetry with the spirit and aesthetics of ancient Greece—a phenomenon known as Hellenism. This exploration delves into how Keats adopted Greek ideals, mythology, and artistic sensibilities to shape his poetic vision. Drawing inspiration from classical sculpture, mythology, and literature, Keats crafted verses that celebrate beauty, transience, and imagination. His works such as Ode on a Grecian Urn, Endymion, and Hyperion reflect a deep reverence for Greek art and philosophy, often portraying mythological figures and themes with vivid sensuality and emotional depth. Despite lacking formal classical education, Keats’s intuitive grasp of Hellenic values allowed him to merge Romantic emotion with classical restraint, creating a unique poetic voice. This paper examines the aesthetic and philosophical dimensions of Hellenism in Keats’s poetry, highlighting how ancient influence enriched his pursuit of truth through beauty and shaped his legacy as a “modern Greek” in English literature.