On seeing the elgin marbles by john keats about this poet john keats was born in london on 31 october 1795 the eldest of thomas and frances jennings keats s four children.
The elgin marbles inspired keats to write.
John keats 1795 1821 wrote lyric poems such as ode to a nightingale and ode on a grecian urn that are notable for their vivid imagery and philosophical aspirations.
My spirit is too weak.
As a writer keats hoped he would live long enough to achieve his poetic dream of becoming as great as shakespeare or john milton.
Through his awareness of other writings in this field and his first hand acquaintance with the elgin marbles keats perceived the idealism and representation of greek virtues in classical greek art and his poem draws upon these insights.
Elgin marbles collection of ancient greek sculptures and architectural details in the british museum london where they are now called the parthenon sculptures.
Explain how the poem conveys the idea that art can both move with its beauty and disturb by its tendency to remind us of our own mortality.
On seeing the elgin marbles john keats.
He was inspired to write the poem after reading two articles by english artist and writer benjamin haydon.
Soon after his visit to the british museum john keats wrote the poem on seeing the elgin marbles to share his experiences.
The marbles have immense beauty and grandeur but they used to be part of the frieze on the parthenon in athens.
Elgin and his marbles.
Upon seeing the elgin marbles keats is overcome by a sense of his own mortality.
From the observer s perspective keats experienced an overwhelming sense of his own mortality and appreciation for the classical artwork.
Investigating themes in on seeing the elgin marbles.
Examples of great beauty and art also caused keats to ponder mortality as in on seeing the elgin marbles 1817.
Keats s poetry became influential after his death and was recognized in the 20th century for its technical and intellectual achievement.
What is keats saying about the worth of human artistry.
In sleep and poetry 1817 keats outlined a plan of poetic achievement that required him.
Now the sculptures are in fragments and in london no longer a living part of religion but exhibits in a museum.
Although he died at the age of twenty five keats had perhaps the most remarkable career of any english poet.