Course Description
Summary
This introductory seminar will consider and juxtapose the 19th century British Romantic poet John Keats and the 20th century American modernist poet Wallace Stevens, both of whom were rigorous craftsmen, provocative thinkers, and aesthetic theorists who argued fervently for the supremacy of the imagination, the interconnectedness of truth and beauty, and the importance of mystery and uncertainty in poetry. Alternating between Keats and Stevens, reading both poets each week, we will consider their poetry and critical prose and look for common threads, both in their writing and artistic sensibility. We will write two short critical essays, memorize and recite one poem by each poet. and together engage in intensive close readings of their poetry.
