2. H is L if e
Born October 31, 1795 Had 3 siblings, mother
in Moorgate, London, and brother died of
England. Tuberculosis
English romantic poet, Apprenticed for a
known for love letters surgeon, Dr.
and poetry. Hammond after
leaving school.
3. H is L if e C o n t in u e d . . .
Skilled with medicine Published 3 books, or
and natural history, collections of poems
but literature had in his life.
caught his attention
more. His good friend,
He fell in love with his Charles Brown tried
neighbor Frances to end their
“Franny” Brawne, and she
inspired much of his engagement,
writing and famous love because he thought
letters. They would it would benefit
always write back and Keats.
forward to each other.
4. H is L if e C o n t in u e d . . .
Couldn't marry Fanny Was fatally ill with
because he didn't have Tuberculosis, and spent
enough money. a month with the
Towards the end of his Brawnes.
life he wrote the most. Died at the age of 25,
February 23, 1821.
Sailed to Rome for
treatment, but the
illness was so terminal
that he died there.
5. Literature
One of his most famous poems Bright star, would I were stedfast as thou art--
Not in lone splendour hung aloft the night
was Bright Star, which was And watching, with eternal lids apart,
written for Franny. Like nature's patient, sleepless Eremite,
The moving waters at their priestlike task
Of pure ablution round earth's human
What do you believe shores,
Or gazing on the new soft-fallen mask
this poem means? Of snow upon the mountains and the
moors--
No--yet still stedfast, still unchangeable,
What is the tone? Pillow'd upon my fair love's ripening
breast,
What do you feel when To feel for ever its soft fall and swell,
Awake for ever in a sweet unrest,
Still, still to hear her tender-taken breath,
you read the poem? And so live ever--or else swoon to death.
6. Letter to Franny Discussion
What can you tell about Keats' love for Franny?
Do you think his feelings are from true love or
possessiveness?
How would you feel if you were Franny?
What do you think about the ending to their
story? Never getting a chance to marry, and
Keats' early death?
