ABSTRACT
Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792–1822) was regarded by Keats, who met him through Leigh Hunt, as a well-intentioned rival, and their friendship never went much beyond verse-writing competitions (Endymion and The Revolt of Islam were probably begun in this way). Shelley, a perceptive critic, saw Keats's greatness from the outset and defended even Endymion, mildly at first (Extract (c)—though this letter was never sent), then with passionate indignation in Adonais (Extract (g)). If the chaotic Medwin can be trusted (Extract (k)), Shelley was finally converted to admiring Keats's other later poems besides Hyperion. The ‘Epitaph’ (Extract (j)) has not previously been published in full.
