# Glaucus — Poetry character guide

> Glaucus in Poetry by John Keats.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** poor Glaucus, himself

**First appearance:** 0053-iii

## Snapshot

An aged sea-god who has endured a thousand years of enchantment, and whose hard-won wisdom about poetry and power steadies the young dreamer who frees him.

## Who they are

Glaucus has watched generations of poets mistake a rocking-horse for Pegasus, and he grieves for a world that slept through its own beauty. Rescued from long enchantment, he speaks with the authority of one who has seen the Muses mocked and the grand sea disturbed by poets who are Polyphemes rather than friends to soothe the cares of man. His counsel and his gratitude shape the middle of the poem, giving the hero a mentor and a vision of what art is for.

## In the story

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/iii)

Narrates his transformation, love for Scylla, seduction by Circe, and centuries-long imprisonment; guides Endymion to the crystal edifice.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/characters/glaucus
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/characters