Today’s class was time spent in the sun.
We looked at Keats’ “When I have Fears…”
Some brief notes from discussion that stick in my head:
- this poem seems really personal, and not out to change the world like some of Shelley or Byron’s works
- the poet claims to be afraid of dying before getting out all his thoughts
- this sticks with his life story, as Keats lost his brother and also died of tuberculosis (lots of people dying young)
- he seems quite down–it sounds like a journal entry or a letter to a trusted friend
- the last couple of lines suggest that thinking and reflection are more important to him than love and fame–this goes along well with his fears of dying before he gets out all his thoughts/poems/writing
- there seems to be reference to love…we aren’t sure if it is romantic love or love for writing…
Just a few notes there. It seems like a poem written to express emotion rather than gain fame. I think Tamara brought up that point, and I agree. Keats seems more into his own emotional turmoil in this poem. He doesn’t seem to be out to inspire people with great words or ideas. It seems really honest, really spontaneous (ie not polished), and his fears are not resolved by the end of the poem.
I think of Curt Cobain when I read this, or grunge music in general. Just really melancholy…
Remember to read for Monday: Tennyson’s “Ulysses” (one of my favourites!) and “Sonnet 43″
Remember that your poems are due on Monday! Enjoy creating them, I know I am!
