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.