The contribution explores the representation of the volcano Kïlauea in Alfred Tennyson's late poem 'Kapiolani'. The poem celebrates the titular heroine, ascent to the caldera of Kīlauea on 22 December 1824 — a form of social transgression with which she sought to show the falseness of the cult of the much-feared volcano goddess Pele and cement her people’s adherence to the Christian credo, recently introduced to the archipelago. Rather than casting a negative light on the volcano, the poem shares Kapiolani’s opinion that Kīlauea should not be worshipped as a volatile goddess, but accepted as part of a world created by God and subject to his will. In this sense, 'Kapiolani’ may be seen as adding to Tennyson’s lifelong concern with geological processes, the evolution of the cosmos, and the role of God and humanity in the universe.
Kapiolani: Alfred Tennyson
bassi giovanni
2025-01-01
Abstract
The contribution explores the representation of the volcano Kïlauea in Alfred Tennyson's late poem 'Kapiolani'. The poem celebrates the titular heroine, ascent to the caldera of Kīlauea on 22 December 1824 — a form of social transgression with which she sought to show the falseness of the cult of the much-feared volcano goddess Pele and cement her people’s adherence to the Christian credo, recently introduced to the archipelago. Rather than casting a negative light on the volcano, the poem shares Kapiolani’s opinion that Kīlauea should not be worshipped as a volatile goddess, but accepted as part of a world created by God and subject to his will. In this sense, 'Kapiolani’ may be seen as adding to Tennyson’s lifelong concern with geological processes, the evolution of the cosmos, and the role of God and humanity in the universe.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
