Beyond the Shadows Keats, Shelley and the Platonic Quest for Truth

Meltem Can

Article Details

Beyond the Shadows Keats, Shelley and the Platonic Quest for Truth

Authors:

Meltem Can

Publisher:

Trakya University

Main Topics:

İngiliz ve İrlanda Dili | Edebiyatı ve Kültürü

Journal:

Trakya Üniversitesi Edebiyat Fakültesi Dergisi Vol.15 Issue 30, pp.275-296

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

7/2025

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001354099

pISSN:

1309-7660

Keywords:

Abstract:

 Throughout history, human beings have sought to transcend their material existence by exploring the depths of the soul. Literature, which incorporates human concerns, embodies this quest for transcendence across different periods. English Romanticism, with its deep engagement with spirituality, mysticism, imagination, and contemplation, presents poetry as a medium that reveals the mystical experiences of the poet-prophet. As leading figures of this tradition, Percy Bysshe Shelley and John Keats have carved out a distinguished place in English poetry and portrayed the ascent of their personas from a mundane reality to a sublime and mystical realman elevation that also resonates with Platos allegory of the cave. However, the question of whether these Romantic departures from physical reality represent an escape or a deeper engagement with truth is closely related to the long-standing discourse on the necessity of literature. This paper argues that Keats Ode to a Nightingale 1819 and Shelleys To a Skylark 1820 depict transcendence not as mere escapism but as a rebellious attempt to unveil hidden truths about the human soul that challenges the illusory nature of everyday existence, as Platos allegory suggests. Yet, unlike Platos philosopher, who reaches enlightenment through reason, Keats and Shelleys personas achieve liberation through artistic creativity, symbolized by the nightingale and skylark. In this sense, this article examines the duality of the physical and spiritual realms, the transcendental experiences of the poems personas, and the role of poetic creativity as an emancipatory force against Platos scepticism of art.

 Throughout history, human beings have sought to transcend their material existence by exploring the depths of the soul. Literature, which incorporates human concerns, embodies this quest for transcendence across different periods. English Romanticism, with its deep engagement with spirituality, mysticism, imagination, and contemplation, presents poetry as a medium that reveals the mystical experiences of the poet-prophet. As leading figures of this tradition, Percy Bysshe Shelley and John Keats have carved out a distinguished place in English poetry and portrayed the ascent of their personas from a mundane reality to a sublime and mystical realman elevation that also resonates with Platos allegory of the cave. However, the question of whether these Romantic departures from physical reality represent an escape or a deeper engagement with truth is closely related to the long-standing discourse on the necessity of literature. This paper argues that Keats Ode to a Nightingale 1819 and Shelleys To a Skylark 1820 depict transcendence not as mere escapism but as a rebellious attempt to unveil hidden truths about the human soul that challenges the illusory nature of everyday existence, as Platos allegory suggests. Yet, unlike Platos philosopher, who reaches enlightenment through reason, Keats and Shelleys personas achieve liberation through artistic creativity, symbolized by the nightingale and skylark. In this sense, this article examines the duality of the physical and spiritual realms, the transcendental experiences of the poems personas, and the role of poetic creativity as an emancipatory force against Platos scepticism of art.

 Throughout history, human beings have sought to transcend their material existence by exploring the depths of the soul. Literature, which incorporates human concerns, embodies this quest for transcendence across different periods. English Romanticism, with its deep engagement with spirituality, mysticism, imagination, and contemplation, presents poetry as a medium that reveals the mystical experiences of the poet-prophet. As leading figures of this tradition, Percy Bysshe Shelley and John Keats have carved out a distinguished place in English poetry and portrayed the ascent of their personas from a mundane reality to a sublime and mystical realman elevation that also resonates with Platos allegory of the cave. However, the question of whether these Romantic departures from physical reality represent an escape or a deeper engagement with truth is closely related to the long-standing discourse on the necessity of literature. This paper argues that Keats Ode to a Nightingale 1819 and Shelleys To a Skylark 1820 depict transcendence not as mere escapism but as a rebellious attempt to unveil hidden truths about the human soul that challenges the illusory nature of everyday existence, as Platos allegory suggests. Yet, unlike Platos philosopher, who reaches enlightenment through reason, Keats and Shelleys personas achieve liberation through artistic creativity, symbolized by the nightingale and skylark. In this sense, this article examines the duality of the physical and spiritual realms, the transcendental experiences of the poems personas, and the role of poetic creativity as an emancipatory force against Platos scepticism of art.

 Tarih boyunca, insanoğlu ruhunun derinliklerini keşfederek maddi varlığını aşmaya çalışmıştır. İnsanın kaygılarıyla hem şekillenen hem de yansıtan edebiyat, farklı dönemlerde bu aşkınlık arayışını somutlaştırmıştır. Özellikle İngiliz Romantizmi, maneviyat, mistisizm, hayal gücü ve tefekkür ile olan derin ilişkisiyle, şiiri şair-kâhinin mistik deneyimlerini ortaya koyan bir araç olarak sunar. Bu geleneğin önde gelen temsilcilerinden Percy Bysshe Shelley ve John Keats, İngiliz şiirinde önemli bir yer edinmiş ve şiir kişilerinin sıradan bir gerçeklikten ulvi ve mistik bir âleme yükselişini tasvir etmişlerdirki bu yükseliş, Platonun mağara alegorisi ile de örtüşmektedir. Ne var ki, bu Romantik kopuşların fiziksel gerçeklikten bir kaçış mı, yoksa hakikatle daha derin bir ilişki mi kurduğu sorusu, edebiyatın gerekliliğine dair süregelen tartışmalarla yakından ilişkilidir. Bu bağlamda, bu makale, Keatsin Bülbüle Övgü 1819 ve Shelleynin Bir Tarla Kuşuna 1820 adlı şiirlerinin, aşkınlığı salt bir kaçış olarak değil, Platonun alegorisinin öne sürdüğü gibi, gündelik varoluşun yanıltıcı doğasına meydan okuyan ve insan ruhuna dair gizli hakikatleri açığa çıkarmaya yönelik isyankâr bir girişim olarak tasvir ettiğini savunmaktadır. Ancak, Platonun akıl yoluyla aydınlanmaya ulaşan filozofundan farklı olarak, Keats ve Shelleynin şiirsel kişileri bülbül ve tarla kuşu ile sembolize edilen sanatsal yaratıcılık aracılığıyla özgürlüğe erişir. Bu anlamda, bu makale fiziksel ve ruhsal âlemlerin ikiliğini, şiir kişilerinin aşkın deneyimlerini ve Platonun sanata yönelik şüpheciliğine karşı şiirsel yaratıcılığın özgürleştirici bir güç olarak rolünü ele almaktadır.

Article Details

Beyond the Shadows Keats, Shelley and the Platonic Quest for Truth

Authors:

Meltem Can

Publisher:

Trakya University

Main Topics:

İngiliz ve İrlanda Dili | Edebiyatı ve Kültürü

Journal:

Trakya Üniversitesi Edebiyat Fakültesi Dergisi Vol.15 Issue 30, pp.275-296

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

7/2025

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001354099

pISSN:

1309-7660

Keats

Shelley

Cave Allegory

Transcendence

Artistic CreativityKeats

Shelley

Mağara Allegorisi

Aşkınlık

Sanatsal Yaratıcılık

Issues

Article Details

Authors: Meltem Can

Publisher: Trakya University

Main Topics: İngiliz ve İrlanda Dili | Edebiyatı ve Kültürü

Journal: Trakya Üniversitesi Edebiyat Fakültesi Dergisi Vol.15 Issue 30, pp.275-296

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 7/2025

Document Language: English

Document ID (Org No.): 2001354099

pISSN: 1309-7660

Issues

Authors:

Meltem Can

Publisher:

Trakya University

Main Topics:

İngiliz ve İrlanda Dili | Edebiyatı ve Kültürü

Journal:

Trakya Üniversitesi Edebiyat Fakültesi Dergisi Vol.15 Issue 30, pp.275-296

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

7/2025

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001354099

pISSN:

1309-7660