All the Women of 'endymion': from Blues to Bliss

The paper analyses John Keats's poem "Endymion" in the light of archetypal literary criticism. Particular attention is paid to female characters in the poem, especially Cynthia, Circe and Peona, who, taken as archetypes, represent anima and libido. Endymion's search for immortality is in fact his mission to understand and embrace his anima while going through many challenges, so his quest is essentially a process of introspection, broadening of his consciousness, personal transformation. As an infantile Prince Charming dazzled by his narcissism, Endymion will go a long way from an ordinary shepherd to a mature young man full of empathy who finally manages to reach his personal integration.