Bright Star Flashcards
Who wrote Bright Star?
John Keats
Main themes in this Poem?
Romantic Love
Man and Nature
How is Romantic Love portrayed throughout the poem?
John Keats wrote this poem for his dying fiancee who was suffering with Tuberculosis.
How is the theme of Man and Nature portrayed throughout the poem?
Whilst the speaker is steadfast like the star, he knows that he has limitations - insolitary and inhuman.
Two poems for comparison and why?
Now - Theme of Romantic Relationships
Moring song - Theme of Man and Nature
Quote 1, Stanza 1, Line 1
“Bright star, would I were steadfast as thou art-“
“Bright star, would I were steadfast as thou art-“
Addresses the star directly, this address is rhetoric as he doesn’t expect the star to reply. Creates a celestial image with the star.
Quote 2, Stanza 1, Line 3
“And watching, with eternal lids apart”
“And watching with eternal lids apart”
The star is heavily personified with its “eternal lids apart” meaning the star can never sleep or rest.
Quote 3, Stanza 1, Line 4
“Sleepless Eremite”
“Sleepless Eremite”
Simile to compare the star to a Emerite, who is a solitary, reclusive character
Quote 4, Stanza 1, Line 5
“moving waters at a priest-like task”
“moving waters at a priest-like task”
The waters are doing “gods-work”. Religious imagery further implies that this is a religious washing or blessing. In further lines thee writer uses the word “abluent” which supports this fact,.
Quote 5, Stanza 1, Line 9
“No - yet still steadfast, still unchangeable”
“No - yet still steadfast, still unchangeable”
Emphasises the focus back to himself. He longs to live the eternal life of the star, but only in the ‘living’ moments that he describes.
Quote 6, Stanza 1, Line 10
“Pillow’d upon my fair love’s ripening breast”
“Pillow’d upon my fair love’s ripening breast”
Pillow’d - a sense of comfort from his love
Keat is now focusing on more intimate things such as being in bed with his partner.
Quote 7, Stanza 1, Line 12
“In a sweet unrest”
“In a sweet unrest”
Oxymoron between the words, sweet and unrest. To stay awake with her, he would forego death.
Quote 8, Stanza 1, Line 13-14
“Still, still to hear the tender - taken breath. And so live ever - or else swoon to death”
“Still, still to hear the tender - taken breath. And so live ever - or else swoon to death”
Rhyming couplet. Repition of the word “still” grasps the readers attention.
Death is a big things especially because of the context.
Structure of Poem?
In the first 8 lines of this poem the speaker discusses how they wish to have the steadfastness of the star, but does not want its accompanying loneliness.
Form of the Poem?
14 line sonnet
Rhyme scheme - ABAB CDCD EFEF GG
