, ABOUT THE POET:
• John Keats was born on 31 October 1795 in London and died of
tuberculosis in Rome on 23 February 1821, aged 25.
• Despite his short life and career, Keats’s poetry had a significant impact
on the Romantic movement. His use of vivid imagery, rich language, and
explored poignant themes such as mortality and beauty have left a
legacy.
• The Romantics were focused on nature and the importance of the
individual. They believed that people should live to fulfil ideals rather than
being bound by the rules of society.
• One critic wrote of Keats: ‘By force of genius, in four brief years he had
triumphed over all obstacles and won acknowledgment as a great poet.’
• Keats portrayed the beauty of nature and its capacity to bring joy in his
poems.
• In this poem he praises the continuous beauty of nature by describing the
song of two insects, the grasshopper and the cricket.
, BACKGROUND TO THE POEM:
Keats wrote the poem in 1816 during a poetry competition held by his
great friend Leigh Hunt.
The poets had 15 minutes to write a complete sonnet, which tested
their creativity and technical skills.
Hunt’s innovative concept of hosting a poetry competition made poetry
into a social act, something to be enjoyed and shared among friends
instead of a solitary writing activity – Keats won the competition,
writing this poem.
‘On the Grasshopper and Cricket’ was first published in 1817.
Leigh Hunt
• John Keats was born on 31 October 1795 in London and died of
tuberculosis in Rome on 23 February 1821, aged 25.
• Despite his short life and career, Keats’s poetry had a significant impact
on the Romantic movement. His use of vivid imagery, rich language, and
explored poignant themes such as mortality and beauty have left a
legacy.
• The Romantics were focused on nature and the importance of the
individual. They believed that people should live to fulfil ideals rather than
being bound by the rules of society.
• One critic wrote of Keats: ‘By force of genius, in four brief years he had
triumphed over all obstacles and won acknowledgment as a great poet.’
• Keats portrayed the beauty of nature and its capacity to bring joy in his
poems.
• In this poem he praises the continuous beauty of nature by describing the
song of two insects, the grasshopper and the cricket.
, BACKGROUND TO THE POEM:
Keats wrote the poem in 1816 during a poetry competition held by his
great friend Leigh Hunt.
The poets had 15 minutes to write a complete sonnet, which tested
their creativity and technical skills.
Hunt’s innovative concept of hosting a poetry competition made poetry
into a social act, something to be enjoyed and shared among friends
instead of a solitary writing activity – Keats won the competition,
writing this poem.
‘On the Grasshopper and Cricket’ was first published in 1817.
Leigh Hunt
