John Keats’s negative capability is a central idea in his poetic philosophy, and it reflects his unique approach to art and creativity. Keats first introduced the concept in a letter to his brothers, George and Tom, in 1817, where he wrote: “… it struck me what quality went to form a Man of Achievement especially in Literature & which Shakespeare possessed so enormously—I mean Negative Capability, that is when a man is capable of being in uncertainties, Mysteries, doubts, without any irritable reaching after fact & reason.” What Does Negative Capability Mean? • Acceptance of Ambiguity: Keats believed that great art comes from the ability to dwell in uncertainty and ambiguity without the need for logical answers. • Rejection of Ego: The artist must suppress their ego, allowing the work to be shaped by the imaginative process rather than a desire for certainty or resolution. • Aesthetic Experience: Keats emphasised beauty and the emotional experience of art over rational analysis or didacticism. Negative Capability in Keats’s Poetry Keats’s poetry embodies this idea by immersing readers in rich, sensuous, and often ambiguous imagery, inviting them to explore emotional and aesthetic realms rather than seeking concrete answers. For example: • “Ode on a Grecian Urn”: The poem explores the paradox of permanence and transience, culminating in the famous, enigmatic lines: “Beauty is truth, truth beauty,—that is all Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know.” These lines leave the reader with unresolved questions about art, beauty, and truth. • “Ode to a Nightingale”: Keats reflects on mortality, longing, and the transcendent power of art, but the poem resists offering any definitive conclusions. • “To Autumn”: While it celebrates the beauty of the season, it also hints at decay and death. The poem accepts this duality without attempting to resolve it. Influence of Negative Capability Negative capability is one of the reasons Keats is considered a master of Romantic poetry. His ability to embrace mystery and contradiction has inspired generations of writers and artists who seek to explore the depths of human experience without being confined by the need for certainty. Would you like a deeper analysis of one of Keats’s works or its impact on later literature? `Concepts:` `Knowledge Base:`