John Keats:
A Look into the Work of a Great English Poet
John Keats has undeniably left a mark on literature. However, one of the most important things to know about this poet, is that he only lived until the age of twenty-five. Tuberculosis took his life away at a very young age. Probably the most ironic thing, as well as unfortunate, is the fact that when he died he truly believed that once his life was over, no one would remember him or his poetry. He even had the words, “Here lies one whose name was writ in water” engraved on his headstone. However, today we consider him to be one of the most famous English poets. Although he is important in literature today, it is sad that he did not get the recognition he deserved during his short …show more content…
What a reader must first know is that, Keats loved to read, especially the Homer’s epics. One of Keats’ friends gives him a translation of the Iliad by Chapman. As a result, this poem comes about as a response to Chapman’s Homer. In his poem, Keats states how he has read the Iliad countless times, but never one as serene as Homer’s. Keat’s begins his poem by stating, “Much have I travell 'd in the realms of gold, And many goodly states and kingdoms seen; Round many western islands have I been.” Keats uses this word picture to explain to readers that he has traveled many places, through reading. He implies that he has read a lot about Greece, as he mentioned that he has traveled around many western lands. Through word pictures, Keats explains to his audience what it is like to stumble upon a good book, such as his did with Chapman’s Homer. One of the word pictures Keats uses is that he feels like seeing a planet for the first time. This good book that he found brought him excitement and it feels surreal, as if finding a planet. Keats then explains his amazement as if it was Balboa seeing the Pacific Ocean for the first time. Using these word pictures, Keats explains how he feels that reading is like traveling and then goes on to explain vividly what it feels like to find a great book, as he did with …show more content…
“Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard are sweeter.” This line from his poem suggests the ability for art to a capture a moment. Keats also touches on the idea that a work of art can remain long after the artist, however, in order to have the work of art you must have the artist. Therefore, the question of the value between an artist and their artwork comes to be. Keats then begins to question the urn itself about the pictures on it which include; a guy and a girl under a tree about to kiss, a guy chosing a girl, a guy playing a harmonica, and people being led out to a sacrifice. In the end, the urn says “Beauty is truth-truth beauty,” and that 's all you need to know. He is not talking about beauty in the physical sense because those things go away. What this means is that truely beautiful things are true, also called the metaphysical things. Therefore, Keats brings us back to the idea to focus on the true things in life, the things that won 't fade, including
A Look into the Work of a Great English Poet
John Keats has undeniably left a mark on literature. However, one of the most important things to know about this poet, is that he only lived until the age of twenty-five. Tuberculosis took his life away at a very young age. Probably the most ironic thing, as well as unfortunate, is the fact that when he died he truly believed that once his life was over, no one would remember him or his poetry. He even had the words, “Here lies one whose name was writ in water” engraved on his headstone. However, today we consider him to be one of the most famous English poets. Although he is important in literature today, it is sad that he did not get the recognition he deserved during his short …show more content…
What a reader must first know is that, Keats loved to read, especially the Homer’s epics. One of Keats’ friends gives him a translation of the Iliad by Chapman. As a result, this poem comes about as a response to Chapman’s Homer. In his poem, Keats states how he has read the Iliad countless times, but never one as serene as Homer’s. Keat’s begins his poem by stating, “Much have I travell 'd in the realms of gold, And many goodly states and kingdoms seen; Round many western islands have I been.” Keats uses this word picture to explain to readers that he has traveled many places, through reading. He implies that he has read a lot about Greece, as he mentioned that he has traveled around many western lands. Through word pictures, Keats explains to his audience what it is like to stumble upon a good book, such as his did with Chapman’s Homer. One of the word pictures Keats uses is that he feels like seeing a planet for the first time. This good book that he found brought him excitement and it feels surreal, as if finding a planet. Keats then explains his amazement as if it was Balboa seeing the Pacific Ocean for the first time. Using these word pictures, Keats explains how he feels that reading is like traveling and then goes on to explain vividly what it feels like to find a great book, as he did with …show more content…
“Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard are sweeter.” This line from his poem suggests the ability for art to a capture a moment. Keats also touches on the idea that a work of art can remain long after the artist, however, in order to have the work of art you must have the artist. Therefore, the question of the value between an artist and their artwork comes to be. Keats then begins to question the urn itself about the pictures on it which include; a guy and a girl under a tree about to kiss, a guy chosing a girl, a guy playing a harmonica, and people being led out to a sacrifice. In the end, the urn says “Beauty is truth-truth beauty,” and that 's all you need to know. He is not talking about beauty in the physical sense because those things go away. What this means is that truely beautiful things are true, also called the metaphysical things. Therefore, Keats brings us back to the idea to focus on the true things in life, the things that won 't fade, including