A Thing of Beauty by John Keats | A Thing of Beauty | John Keats | Explanation | Summary | Key Points | Word Meaning | Critical Appreciation | Questions Answers | Free PDF Download – Easy Literary Lessons
A Thing of Beauty
A thing of beauty is a joy forever
Its loveliness increases, it will never
Pass into nothingness; but will keep
A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.
Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing
A flowery band to bind us to the earth,
Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth
Of noble natures, of the gloomy days,
Of all the unhealthy and o’er-darkened ways
Made for our searching: yes, in spite of all,
Some shape of beauty moves away the pall
From our dark spirits. Such the sun, the moon,
Trees old, and young, sprouting a shady boon
For simple sheep; and such are daffodils
With the green world they live in; and clear rills
That for themselves a cooling covert make
‘Gainst the hot season; the mid forest brake,
Rich with a sprinkling of fair musk-rose blooms;
And such too is the grandeur of the dooms
We have imagined for the mighty dead;
All lovely tales that we have heard or read;
An endless fountain of immortal drink,
Pouring unto us from the heaven’s brink.
A Thing of Beauty by John Keats: YouTube Link
A Thing of Beauty Poem Analysis
Line 1: A thing of beauty is a joy forever
Explanation: This line is the poem’s thesis statement, and it sets the tone for the rest of the poem. Keats is arguing that beauty is a source of enduring joy, even in the face of adversity.
Line 2: Its loveliness increases, it will never
Explanation: In this line, Keats expands on his previous point, saying that beauty is not fleeting but rather enduring. He suggests that beauty can grow and intensify over time.
Line 3: Pass into nothingness; but will keep
Explanation: This line reinforces the idea that beauty is permanent. Keats says that beauty will never fade away, but will rather continue to exist and bring us joy.
Line 4: A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Explanation: In this line, Keats describes the specific ways in which beauty can enrich our lives. He says that beauty can provide us with a place of peace and rest, and with a sense of well-being.
Line 5: Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.
Explanation: This line further elaborates on the benefits of beauty. Keats suggests that beauty can help us to sleep better, to be healthier, and to live longer.
Line 6: Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing
Explanation: In this line, Keats turns his attention to the human response to beauty. He says that we are naturally drawn to beauty, and that we seek it out in our everyday lives.
Line 7: A flowery band to bind us to the earth,
Explanation: This line is a metaphor for the way in which beauty connects us to the world around us. Keats suggests that beauty helps us to feel grounded and connected to the earth.
Line 8: Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth
Explanation: In this line, Keats acknowledges that the world is not a perfect place, and that there are many things that can cause us sadness and despair. However, he suggests that beauty can still be found in the midst of darkness, and that it can help us to cope with the challenges of life.
Line 9: Of noble natures, of the gloomy days,
Explanation: In this line, Keats lists some of the specific things that he finds beautiful. He mentions noble natures, even on gloomy days.
Line 10: Of all the unhealthy and o’er-darkened ways
Explanation: In this line, Keats contrasts the beauty of noble natures with the ugliness and darkness that can also be found in the world.
Line 11: Made for our searching: yes, in spite of all,
Explanation: In this line, Keats suggests that we are all on a quest for beauty. He says that beauty is something that we all seek out and long for, even if we don’t always find it.
Line 12: Some shape of beauty moves away the pall
Explanation: He says that beauty can help us to dispel the darkness and despair that can sometimes cloud our lives.
Line 13: From our dark spirits. Such the sun, the moon,
Explanation: This line continues the image of beauty dispelling darkness that Keats introduced in the previous line. He now lists some specific examples of beauty, such as the sun and the moon.
Line 14: Trees old, and young, sprouting a shady boon
Explanation: In this line, Keats adds trees to his list of beautiful things. He describes trees as both old and young, suggesting that beauty can be found in all stages of life.
Line 15: For simple sheep; and such are daffodils
Explanation: In this line, Keats expands his list of beautiful things to include flowers. He mentions daffodils, which are a symbol of spring and new beginnings.
Line 16: With the green world they live in; and clear rills
Explanation: In this line, Keats describes the natural world as a place of beauty. He mentions green fields, clear streams, and daffodils.
Line 17: That for themselves a cooling covert make
Explanation: In this line, Keats describes how the natural world provides for itself. He says that streams make their own cool pools, which provide a refuge for animals on hot days.
Line 18: ‘Gainst the hot season; the mid forest brake,
Explanation: In this line, Keats continues to describe the beauty of the natural world. He mentions the mid-forest brake, which is a thick patch of underbrush. He suggests that the brake provides a cool and shady place for animals to escape the heat of the summer.
Line 19: Rich with a sprinkling of fair musk-rose blooms;
Explanation: In this line, Keats adds to his list of beautiful things by mentioning musk-rose blooms. He suggests that the musk-rose is a particularly beautiful flower, and that its presence enriches the forest brake.
Line 20: And such too is the grandeur of the dooms
Explanation: In this line, Keats turns his attention to the beauty of human imagination. He says that the stories we tell ourselves about death and the afterlife can also be beautiful.
Line 21: We have imagined for the mighty dead;
Explanation: In this line, Keats gives a specific example of the kind of story he is talking about. He says that we have imagined grand tales about the mighty dead.
Line 22: All lovely tales that we have heard or read;
Explanation: In this line, Keats expands his list of beautiful stories to include all of the lovely tales that we have heard or read.
Line 23: An endless fountain of immortal drink,
Explanation: In this line, Keats compares beauty to an endless fountain of immortal drink. This image suggests that beauty is a source of nourishment and refreshment that can never be exhausted.
Line 24: Pouring unto us from the heaven’s brink.
Explanation: In this line, Keats concludes the poem by suggesting that beauty comes to us from heaven. This image suggests that beauty is a gift from God, and that it is something to be cherished.
