Back in the 19th century, when John Keats wrote his ballad, gender roles were much more traditional than they are now. Typically, a man would be more active in pursuing a woman and trying to sweep her off her feet. At the same time, a woman would be more demure and modest: she would not be open about her feelings if they are mutual. In “La Belle Dame Sans Merci,” the knight is seduced by a woman – something that must not have been very common back then. Moreover, Keats describes the female character as assuming the active role during the lovemaking – arguably, a male behavior pattern. The knight feels vulnerable and emotionally enthralled by the experience and loses control over his actions.
The story of John Keats’ poem “La Belle Dame Sans Merci” reflects a reversal of roles. The girl plays the male role, and the male plays the female role in this relationship. Explain.
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Academic.Tips. (2021) 'The story of John Keats’ poem “La Belle Dame Sans Merci” reflects a reversal of roles. The girl plays the male role, and the male plays the female role in this relationship. Explain'. 9 July.
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Academic.Tips. (2021, July 9). The story of John Keats’ poem “La Belle Dame Sans Merci” reflects a reversal of roles. The girl plays the male role, and the male plays the female role in this relationship. Explain. https://academic.tips/question/the-story-of-john-keats-poem-la-belle-dame-sans-merci-reflects-a-reversal-of-roles-the-girl-plays-the-male-role-and-the-male-plays-the-female-role-in-this-relationship-ex/
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Academic.Tips. 2021. "The story of John Keats’ poem “La Belle Dame Sans Merci” reflects a reversal of roles. The girl plays the male role, and the male plays the female role in this relationship. Explain." July 9, 2021. https://academic.tips/question/the-story-of-john-keats-poem-la-belle-dame-sans-merci-reflects-a-reversal-of-roles-the-girl-plays-the-male-role-and-the-male-plays-the-female-role-in-this-relationship-ex/.
1. Academic.Tips. "The story of John Keats’ poem “La Belle Dame Sans Merci” reflects a reversal of roles. The girl plays the male role, and the male plays the female role in this relationship. Explain." July 9, 2021. https://academic.tips/question/the-story-of-john-keats-poem-la-belle-dame-sans-merci-reflects-a-reversal-of-roles-the-girl-plays-the-male-role-and-the-male-plays-the-female-role-in-this-relationship-ex/.
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Academic.Tips. "The story of John Keats’ poem “La Belle Dame Sans Merci” reflects a reversal of roles. The girl plays the male role, and the male plays the female role in this relationship. Explain." July 9, 2021. https://academic.tips/question/the-story-of-john-keats-poem-la-belle-dame-sans-merci-reflects-a-reversal-of-roles-the-girl-plays-the-male-role-and-the-male-plays-the-female-role-in-this-relationship-ex/.
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"The story of John Keats’ poem “La Belle Dame Sans Merci” reflects a reversal of roles. The girl plays the male role, and the male plays the female role in this relationship. Explain." Academic.Tips, 9 July 2021, academic.tips/question/the-story-of-john-keats-poem-la-belle-dame-sans-merci-reflects-a-reversal-of-roles-the-girl-plays-the-male-role-and-the-male-plays-the-female-role-in-this-relationship-ex/.
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