Research Paper On John Keats

The journey of John Keats John Keats was an English romantic poet. Keats was different from many other writers of his time period. Though he was given a limited number of days from his diagnosis, Keats’ passion for literature never ceased, which is present through his writing. John Keats was a poet in the 19th century whose poems, ‘Ode to Nightingale’ and ‘Bright Star! Would I Were Steadfast as Thou Art’ revealed a theme of consciousness and change. John Keats was born in London on October 31,1795 and died of tuberculosis in Rome, where he had been sent for treatment, on February 23,1821. Keats dealt with several obstacles in his life, including the “parting with his brother George, who emigrated to America that June; the loss of his other

Keats then sees the nightingale and he listens to her singing in the forest, then “he responds to the beauty of the nightingale’s song with a both “happiness” and “ache.”(Ode to a Nightingale 233). He then says that his “drowsy numbness” is not in spite of the nightingale’s happiness, but instead from sharing it too completely; he is “too happy” that the nightingale sings the sound of music. Keats experiences a feeling of envy, because he wants to be able to feel the happiness of which the nightingale is feeling. However, Keats is unable to reach that state. Keats then comes to the realization of which, “his own human consciousness separates him the happiness the nightingale enjoys.”(Ode to a Nightingale 233). Following, Keats uses the power of alcohol to cause himself to feel something similar-to which he believes the nightingale is experiencing. He believes the wine can be used as an immunity—to relieve pressure from the outside world. Yet, the wine only causes Keats to feel unconscious—unaware of his true self, whom feels nothing but pain, despair and misery. One critic points out while Keats is a very dark emotional state, “The intoxication of wine and later the “viewless wings of Poesy” seem reliable ways of escaping the confines of the “dull brain,” but finally it is death itself that seems the only possible means of overcoming the knowledge and fear of

Would I Were Steadfast as Thou Art” by John Keats, the speaker opens the poem by establishing his admiration for the star. Keats claims he wants to be just like the star. He admires the stars’ ability to be eternal and its’ consistency. The star watches over the universe, instead of someone else watching over the star itself. A critic reviews the poem as “comparing himself to the star, however, the speaker wishes for something the star does not have: steadfastness without solitude.” (Bright Star! Would I Were Steadfast as Thou Art 46). Suddenly, Keats come to the realization that he does not want to feel lonesome like the star. Keats then begins to wish for qualities of which the star does not have. Following, Keats articulates a feeling of yearning for satisfaction. First, Keats wishes to be just like the star, yet also desires to be steadfast without solitude. This of which the star does not have. This creates a paradox. Keats desires to be eternal, yet he wishes to spend eternity in love. Fellow critic Fraser Sutherland adds, “though he wishes to be “still unchangeable” like the star, he wishes his eternity to be in the context of human love: to be “Pillowed” upon his love’s breast.”(Bright Star! Would I Were Steadfast as Thou Art 46). The desire Keats longs for is to be complete--full of life. Following, Keats aspires to be in love for all eternity. To be in love, gives Keats the contentment he has been searching for. To be given eternal life,