Part 1 of Essay
John Keats’ beautiful poem, “The Eve of St. Agnes,” causes some disagreement among his readers. This work is often either interpreted as an enchanting love story with a fairy tale ending or the complete opposite, a story of deceitful seduction with a grave ending. However, “The Eve of St. Agnes ....

Part 2 of Essay
.... the reader cannot assume that conclusion. It is true that Porphyro seeks Madeline out and comes to her home pining after her. However, the text provides clues that this behavior is not due to deceitful intentions, but to Porphyro’s honest feelings for Madeline. For example, upon his entrance in the poem, he “implores all saints to give him sight of Madeline…that he might gaze and worship all unseen (lines 77-80).” It is immediately clear that he is obsessed with her. The fact that he ....