Sherry Chandler » The poetical Character
The poetical Character
As to the poetical Character itself …it is not itself—it has not self—it is everything and nothing—It has no character—it enjoys light and shade; it lives in gusto, be it foul or fair, high or low, rich or poor, mean or elevated—It has as much delight in conceiving an Iago as an Imogen. What shocks the virtuous philosopher, delights the camelion poet…
— John Keats, October 27, 1818
(Where I’m not sure. I found this quote in my journal/notebook for Memorial Day, 2000)
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2 Comments
1. Helen Losse replies at 13th January 2008, 10:07 am :
Sherry, I love this quote for its honesty. This is what sets the poet apart form the creator of verse who has an ax to grind or a point to reveal. A poet is neither philosopher not preacher. The poet’s search for truth, however, is as valid as either of these. “Search we high, search we low,” and yet the discovery - no matter what the discovery is - is “the delight.” And “the poetical Character itself” - that ageless, sexless being whose values may or may not coincide with mine - is not me nor is it any poet. Knowing this is key to becoming a poet.
2. sherry replies at 14th January 2008, 9:32 am :
My first reaction to your comment, Helen, was that I do have axes to grind but, upon reflection, it’s true that I try not to grind them in my poetry, even when I write blatantly political poems. All in all, though, I think I may be more Basho than Keats. But you write more like Basho than I do.
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