pleasure in to sleep

Question 1

“O soft embalmer of the still midnight shutting, with careful finger

Answer 1

demonstrates Keats personification of sleep in the poem presenting it as calming, tranquil and welcoming with the power to take Keats away from the terrible realities of life and the day.

Question 2

‘Gloom-pleased eyes”

Answer 2

suggests that sleep is a release from the difficulties of the day and is therefore pleasurable and a relief

Question 3

“still midnight” and “embowered from the light”

Answer 3

emulates a dream like state and arguably reflects the cycle of night and day being that of sleep and dreams followed by the difficulties that the day brings

Question 4

Enshaded in forgetfulness divine:”

Answer 4

emphasises the degree of comfort and escapism sleep provides as you are removed from reality and the difficulties that brings. Keats use of a colon here places emphasis on “divine” which suggests that sleep is pure pleasure and of great value and beauty

Question 5

“careful” “soft” “soothest sleep”

Answer 5

Sleep/ dreams are presented as gentle and relieving escapism, “careful” “soft” “soothest sleep” as well as “thine hymn” and “lulling charities” which creates a positive, soothing and gentle image of sleep and the escapism it provides

Question 6

Context:

Answer 6

Keats was dying of TB and in a relationship with Fanny Brawne, who refused his offer to call off the engagement despite knowing he would die, this arguably created an element of worry and guilt for Keats that bothered him and he didn’t know how to deal with this
He had lost several members of his family in close proximity, the grief would have been immense and troubling for Keats and upon finding out of his own illness, having seen the suffering of his Brother and his Mother with TB, understandably would cause a great deal or worry and concern
Keats poetry was not appreciated at the time he was writing, often receiving negative reviews on his works and being told he should give up. As a massive part of his daily life, it could be assumed that Keats wanted to escape this negativity and underappreciation, especially considering one of Keat’s greatest fears was to be forgotten