Meaning: The quote "But are not the dreams of poets and the tales of travellers notoriously false?" is from H.P. Lovecraft, an influential American writer of weird fiction and horror fiction in the early 20th century. Lovecraft is best known for his creation of the Cthulhu Mythos, a fictional universe inhabited by ancient, cosmic deities and otherworldly beings. Lovecraft's works often explore themes of cosmic horror, forbidden knowledge, and the insignificance of humanity in the face of incomprehensible forces.

This particular quote reflects Lovecraft's skepticism and distrust of subjective experiences and narratives. It embodies his philosophical and literary approach, which frequently emphasizes the limitations of human perception and the unreliable nature of individual accounts of the world. For Lovecraft, the dreams of poets and the tales of travelers are inherently suspect, as they are shaped by personal interpretation and imagination rather than objective reality.

Lovecraft's writing often delves into the idea of the "unreliable narrator," where the storyteller's perceptions and beliefs are called into question. He frequently used this literary device to create a sense of ambiguity and unease in his works, inviting readers to question the reliability of the information presented to them. This quote encapsulates Lovecraft's fascination with the blurred boundaries between truth and fiction, and the ways in which human understanding can be distorted by subjective experiences and biases.

In the context of Lovecraft's body of work, this quote can be seen as a reflection of his overarching thematic concerns. His stories often feature protagonists who encounter strange and otherworldly phenomena, only to find their perceptions and sanity challenged by the incomprehensible nature of what they have witnessed. Lovecraft's characters frequently grapple with the idea that their own experiences may be unreliable or even deceptive, leading to a sense of existential dread and cognitive dissonance.

Furthermore, Lovecraft's skepticism toward subjective narratives can also be understood in the context of his broader philosophical worldview. He was deeply influenced by the scientific and philosophical developments of his time, including the growing understanding of the vastness and indifference of the cosmos. Lovecraft's writings often reflect a sense of cosmic nihilism, wherein human beliefs and experiences are portrayed as insignificant in the face of cosmic forces that defy human comprehension.

In summary, the quote "But are not the dreams of poets and the tales of travellers notoriously false?" encapsulates H.P. Lovecraft's skepticism toward subjective experiences and narratives, reflecting his literary preoccupation with the unreliable nature of human perception and the limitations of individual accounts of reality. It exemplifies his fascination with the interplay between truth and fiction, and the ways in which human understanding can be distorted by subjective experiences and biases. This quote offers insight into Lovecraft's philosophical and literary approach, shedding light on his thematic concerns and his enduring influence on the genres of weird fiction and horror literature.