Abstract
This paper delves into John Keats' enduring poem, "La Belle Dame sans Merci," offering a reinterpretation that challenges the traditional perceptions of the mysterious lady that gives the poem its title. Contrary to prevailing supernatural interpretations, which generally cannot escape a patriarchal lens, the paper aims to show that the belle dame is not a mystical being but rather a liberated woman who embraces her sexuality. In turn, the knight's dubious narration is argued to be an intricate attempt to control, silence, and demonize her, motivated by his deep-seated discomfort and emasculation in the face of her empowered sexuality. Through an analysis of the poem's language, imagery, and thematic elements, the nuances that make up the titular character, namely her agency and sexual autonomy in her courtship with the knight, are illuminated. In doing so, the paper aims to display the deeper social anxieties surrounding female sexuality and the complex power dynamics at play in the poem and contribute to the broader discourse on gender roles and identities in 19th-century literature.
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