A Thing of Beauty
A Thing of Beauty
By John Keats
1. It is an extract from Keats's epic
poem - Endymion
2. It is written in rhyming couplets.
3. It is a story about the
relationship between a goddess and
her human lover. It is based on the Greek myth of
Endymion, the shepherd who falls in love with the
moon goddess named Cynthia. It captures a poet’s search for
ideal beauty. Keats drew inspiration from both nature and classics.
Theme
[1] what is beauty
[2] why should man search for it
[3] relationship between man and
nature
[4] role of beauty found in stories
and heroic tales of classical
literature
Introduction: Keats believed that beauty is the moving spirit of art
and life. Beautiful things leave an everlasting
impression on the mind and are an eternal source of joy and
sublimate the soul.
The poem: A beautiful thing is a source
of everlasting joy and happiness. Its value never diminishes and the joy it
gives grows with the passage of time. Treasured in the mind, like a shady bower
it protects us from the harshness of the world around. It comforts us, provides
peace, tranquility and restores our health, sleep full of sweet dreams and our
well-being. Nature is an everlasting source of beauty and joy. In the lap of
nature we forget our cares, gloom and regain our happiness.
Therefore, on every morrow…earth – These lines point to the relationship between man and nature.
The bond that man shares with nature is deep and pleasurable. Thus, every morning
we weave a garland of flowers i.e. beautiful thoughts, memories and experiences
drawn from beauteous forms of nature for they bind us to the earth, making our
lives worthwhile. Nature in some form or the other
heals our fractured soul, lifts the pall of sadness and gloom caused by the
selfish ways of the world, disappointments, dark choices, suffering and pain
and makes way for happiness.
Keats says that bounties of nature are an inexhaustible source
of inspiration-the sun, the moon, trees young and old which provide shelter to
everyone-even the simple sheep, the beautiful Daffodils in the green world, the
clear stream that flows beneath tree covers keeping the water cool against the
hot sun, the thick ferns and the spray of musk roses in the forest clearing
that takes the beholder with surprise- all bring myriad joys and elevate our
spirit.
And such too…brink - The poet also
turns to the immortal tales of the mighty dead, the tales of classical heroes -
their grandeur, nobility, sacrifices, courage and virtues which we have heard
about or read, as an eternal source of inspiration. These have a sublimating
effect on our minds and transform our lives with their beauty. We feel that we
have partaken from the eternal fountain of heaven that grants immortality to
whosoever drinks it.
The last lines- refer to both the sources of beauty- nature and
classics.
