John KeatsJohn Keats

John Keats 1795-1821John Keats 1795-1821 John Keats lived only twenty-John Keats lived only twenty-

five years, yet his poetic five years, yet his poetic achievement was achievement was extraordinary. extraordinary. His writing His writing career lasted a little more career lasted a little more than five years (1814-1820).than five years (1814-1820).

In this brief period, he In this brief period, he

produced poems that rank produced poems that rank him as one of the great him as one of the great English poets. He also wrote English poets. He also wrote letters which T.S. Eliot calls letters which T.S. Eliot calls "the most notable and the "the most notable and the most important ever written most important ever written by any English poet." by any English poet."

Keats died of complications from tuberculosis. His Keats died of complications from tuberculosis. His genius was not generally perceived during his genius was not generally perceived during his lifetime or immediately after his death. lifetime or immediately after his death.

Keats, dying, expectedKeats, dying, expected his poetry to be forgotten, his poetry to be forgotten, as as the epitaph he wrote for the epitaph he wrote for his tombstone indicates: his tombstone indicates: "Here lies one whose name "Here lies one whose name was writ in water.”was writ in water.”

But nineteenth century critics and readers did But nineteenth century critics and readers did come to appreciate him, though, for the most part, come to appreciate him, though, for the most part, they had only a partial understanding of his work. they had only a partial understanding of his work. They saw Keats as They saw Keats as a sensual poet; they focused on a sensual poet; they focused on his vivid, concrete imagery; on his portrayal of the his vivid, concrete imagery; on his portrayal of the physical and the passionate; and on his immersion physical and the passionate; and on his immersion in the here and now.in the here and now.

One nineteenth century critic went so far as to One nineteenth century critic went so far as to assert not merely that Keats had "a mind assert not merely that Keats had "a mind constitutionally inept for abstract thinking," but constitutionally inept for abstract thinking," but that he "had no mind."that he "had no mind."

With the twentieth century, the perception of With the twentieth century, the perception of Keats's poetry expanded; he was and is Keats's poetry expanded; he was and is praised for praised for his seriousness and thoughtfulness, for his dealing his seriousness and thoughtfulness, for his dealing with difficult human conflicts and artistic issues, with difficult human conflicts and artistic issues, and for his impassioned mental pursuit of truth.and for his impassioned mental pursuit of truth.

The publication of Keats's letters, with their keen The publication of Keats's letters, with their keen intellectual questioning and concern with moral intellectual questioning and concern with moral and artistic problems, contributed to this re-and artistic problems, contributed to this re-assessment. assessment.

Keats advocated living "the ripest, fullest Keats advocated living "the ripest, fullest experience that one is capable of"; he believed that experience that one is capable of"; he believed that what determines truth is experience.what determines truth is experience.

““Bright Star”Bright Star”

The Composition of "Bright Star”The Composition of "Bright Star”

Keats wrote "Bright Star" in 1819 and Keats wrote "Bright Star" in 1819 and revised it in 1820, perhaps on the voyage to revised it in 1820, perhaps on the voyage to Italy. Friends and his doctor had urged him Italy. Friends and his doctor had urged him to try a common treatment for tuberculosis, to try a common treatment for tuberculosis, a trip to Italy; however, Keats was aware a trip to Italy; however, Keats was aware that he was dying. Some critics have that he was dying. Some critics have theorized that this poem was addressed to theorized that this poem was addressed to his fiancée, Fanny Brawne, and connect the his fiancée, Fanny Brawne, and connect the poem to his May 3, 1818 letter to her.poem to his May 3, 1818 letter to her.

What is a Grecian Urn?What is a Grecian Urn?

PoemsPoems

““When I have fears that I may cease When I have fears that I may cease to be” (51)to be” (51)

““Bright Star—” (52)Bright Star—” (52) ““Ode to a Grecian Urn” (36)Ode to a Grecian Urn” (36)