John Keats
Context
Romanticism
Romanticism was a literary movement across Europe in the early 1800s. Keats is
the ideal example of a Romantic poet. The movement evolved in response to the
revolutions in France and America, and as a rejection of the Industrial Revolution
in Britain.
The Industrial Revolution led to urbanisation - people were driven from the
countryside into overcrowded towns to work in mines and factories. Here, wages
were so low that child labour became common. Appalling living conditions led to
poor quality of life and starvation. However, the government failed to take action
against this widespread poverty.
Romanticism rejected:
The Industrial Revolution Romanticism embraced:
Slavery and poverty Freedom of individual
Impersonal feeling expression
Conservative morals Originality and sincerity
Emotional intensity
Keats’ personal life
1795 – Keats was born in East End London, into a lower middle class background.
1810 – His mother died and he left formal education, leaving school to become an
apothecary. Because of this, he lacked upper class knowledge of classical
language and mythology.
1815 – During the mid-1810s, he wrote poetry expressing liberal ideas.
1818 – He experienced poverty whilst visiting Ireland and Northern England. Met
his fiancée, Fanny Brawne. Nursed his brother who had tuberculosis (TB).
1819 – Became ill with TB, and began to become obsessed with the idea that he
would soon die.
1820 – Travelled to Italy in an attempt to improve is health. Attempted suicide.
1821 – Died in February, aged only 25.
Religious views
Keats disliked rank and priesthood, as religion taught submission. He also
disliked that the church was getting grants from parliament to build more
Context
Romanticism
Romanticism was a literary movement across Europe in the early 1800s. Keats is
the ideal example of a Romantic poet. The movement evolved in response to the
revolutions in France and America, and as a rejection of the Industrial Revolution
in Britain.
The Industrial Revolution led to urbanisation - people were driven from the
countryside into overcrowded towns to work in mines and factories. Here, wages
were so low that child labour became common. Appalling living conditions led to
poor quality of life and starvation. However, the government failed to take action
against this widespread poverty.
Romanticism rejected:
The Industrial Revolution Romanticism embraced:
Slavery and poverty Freedom of individual
Impersonal feeling expression
Conservative morals Originality and sincerity
Emotional intensity
Keats’ personal life
1795 – Keats was born in East End London, into a lower middle class background.
1810 – His mother died and he left formal education, leaving school to become an
apothecary. Because of this, he lacked upper class knowledge of classical
language and mythology.
1815 – During the mid-1810s, he wrote poetry expressing liberal ideas.
1818 – He experienced poverty whilst visiting Ireland and Northern England. Met
his fiancée, Fanny Brawne. Nursed his brother who had tuberculosis (TB).
1819 – Became ill with TB, and began to become obsessed with the idea that he
would soon die.
1820 – Travelled to Italy in an attempt to improve is health. Attempted suicide.
1821 – Died in February, aged only 25.
Religious views
Keats disliked rank and priesthood, as religion taught submission. He also
disliked that the church was getting grants from parliament to build more
