Lamia

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

2490

Title

Lamia

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

John Keats's "Lamia" weaves a mythic tale of forbidden love and the collision between mortal desire and divine wisdom. The poem explores themes of illusion versus reality, the dangers of unchecked passion, and the transformative power of philosophy, culminating in a tragic revelation that shatters a beautiful dream.

Summary up to 500 words

In John Keats's narrative poem *Lamia*, the winged god Hermes, seeking respite from Olympus, wanders the forests of Crete. There, he encounters Lamia, a nymph cursed to exist as a serpent. Moved by pity for her sorrowful existence, Hermes grants her human form so she may pursue her love, Lycius, a young Corinthian scholar. Lamia transforms into a woman of exquisite beauty and seduces Lycius, leading him away from his mentor, the philosopher Apollonius. They retreat to a lavish palace where Lamia hosts a magnificent feast, celebrating their union with faery splendor and invisible servants. However, the revelry is interrupted when Lycius, under the influence of wine, seeks Apollonius's blessing. The philosopher, recognizing Lamia's true nature, stares at her with piercing insight. Instantly, the illusion shatters; Lycius sees a hideous serpent instead of his bride. Overcome by horror and realizing his love was a fatal deception, Lycius dies of a broken heart, leaving Lamia to vanish into the night. The poem explores the conflict between mortal passion and philosophical truth, suggesting that while philosophy may clip an angel's wings, it ultimately reveals the monstrous reality behind deceptive beauty. Keats uses vivid imagery to contrast the ethereal, magical world of Lamia with the stark, terrifying truth exposed by Apollonius's gaze, culminating in a tragic warning against the dangers of unchecked desire and the fragility of illusions sustained by magic.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Classics
• Poetry