How we cite our quotes: (Line)
Quote #1
Much have I travell'd in the realms of gold, (1)
Right from the get-go, Keats lets us know that he's been sporting his explorer's badge for some time now. And he's got the frequent flyer miles to prove it. How does this set-up help us to understand his points about Chapman's translation?
Quote #2
Oft of one wide expanse had I been told (5)
For true explorers, hearing about something is never good enough. Keats won't settle for hearing about Homer—he wants to experience the work for himself.
Quote #3
When a new planet swims into his ken. (10)
Notice that the new planet isn't found by the astronomer, the planet finds him. Sometimes to be an explorer means being receptive enough to be found.
Quote #4
He star'd at the Pacific—and all his men
Look'd at each other with a wild surmise—(12-13)
The explorer is staring at the Pacific, but all the men are down the mountain just staring at one another. A leader is way out on the frontier. They see things firsthand and have the difficult task of trying to communicate that experience. That's what Keats sees as the poet's struggle.