Subject
Keats, John, 1795-1821 Books
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Sidney Colvin
Life of John Keats: His Life and Poetry, His Friends, Critics and After-Fame
"Life of John Keats: His Life and Poetry, His Friends, Critics and After-Fame" by Sidney Colvin is a comprehensive historical account written in the early 20th century. The work dives into the life of the renowned Romantic poet John Keats, exploring his poetry, personal relationships, and the critical reception of his art during his lifetime and beyond. It aims to provide a detailed and engaging narrative of Keats's life, emphasizing the emotional and imaginative experiences that shaped his work. The opening of the volume sets the stage for Keats's life by delving into his early years, beginning with his birth and family background in London, where he emerged from humble beginnings. The narrative outlines his childhood experiences, the influence of his parents, and his education at Enfield School. As the text unfolds, it highlights his growing passion for poetry, the friendships that marked his youth, and the paths that led him to his career as a poet, including his apprenticeship and eventual decision to devote himself entirely to literature. This meticulous introduction paints a picture of Keats as a fiery, passionate individual whose later genius was nurtured by the complexities of his formative years.
Sidney Colvin
Keats
"Keats" by Sidney Colvin is a biographical work written in the late 19th century. The book delves into the life, influences, and literary contributions of the Romantic poet John Keats, detailing his journey from an ordinary upbringing to becoming one of the most celebrated figures in English literature. It explores his familial relationships, friendships, and the social circle that shaped his development as a poet. The opening of the biography provides a foundational overview of Keats's early life, including his birth into a modest family and his formative years spent at different schools. It highlights significant events such as the loss of his father and the effects this had on his upbringing. The narrative details his awakening to poetry during his time as a surgeon's apprentice, noting the deep emotional connections he fostered with his family and friends. As he begins to engage with poetry more seriously, the text hints at his evolving relationships with contemporaries like Leigh Hunt and Shelley, setting the stage for his burgeoning literary ambitions. This introduction establishes a poignant and reflective tone that invites readers to explore the complexities of Keats’s character and the context in which his poetry flourished.
William Michael Rossetti
Life of John Keats
"Life of John Keats" by William Michael Rossetti is a biographical account written in the late 19th century. The narrative focuses on the life and works of the renowned Romantic poet John Keats, exploring his early years, literary development, relationships, and ultimately his tragic early death. The book delves into how Keats's personal experiences shaped his poetic voice and examines the impact of his work on English literature. The opening of "Life of John Keats" introduces readers to Keats's background, outlining his modest origins and the challenges he faced growing up as the child of unremarkable but loving parents. It details his education and inclinations toward literature, revealing pivotal moments such as the death of his parents that profoundly affected him. Furthermore, Keats's early aspirations in surgery are presented before his eventual shift to poetry, influenced by key literary figures and friendships, setting the stage for an exploration of his emotional depth and poetic genius. This section establishes the basis for understanding Keats's character, ambition, and the catalysts that would ultimately shape his brief but impactful life.
James Russell Lowell
Among My Books. Second Series
"Among My Books. Second Series" by James Russell Lowell is a collection of literary essays written during the mid-19th century. This work offers insights into the works of various influential writers, reflecting on their contributions to literature and culture, with specific focus in the opening part on the life and impact of the poet Dante Alighieri. Lowell explores not only Dante's literary genius but also the historical and cultural context of his life, revealing the profound influence of his experiences on his writing. The beginning of this work introduces readers to Lowell's admiration for Dante, establishing the poet's significance in literature. It details Dante's origins in Florence, his education, and the tumultuous political landscape that shaped his life. As Lowell vividly describes Dante's contributions to art and poetry, he highlights key events, such as Dante's exile from Florence, which sparked his most famous works. The exploration of Dante’s complex character, shaped by love, loss, and his artistic ambition, sets the tone for a deeper examination of his enduring legacy in the following essays.
C. H. (Charles Harold) Herford
Shakespeare's treatment of love & marriage, and other essays
"Shakespeare's Treatment of Love & Marriage, and Other Essays" by C. H. Herford is a collection of literary essays written in the early 20th century. The book examines Shakespeare's portrayal of love and marriage as a central theme in his works, delving into how his characters reflect ideals of romantic relationships. The text seeks to explore the complexities and nuances of love in Shakespeare's comedies and tragedies while also discussing the influence of various factors on poetic creation. The opening portion introduces the reader to the overarching themes of love and marriage in Shakespeare's plays. Herford emphasizes that Shakespeare displays a preference for "normal" love relationships characterized by a balance of passion, intellect, and morality. He argues that Shakespeare's ideal form of love is one that naturally leads to marriage, contrasting this view with other types of love that can have tragic or comic implications. The essay sets the stage for a deeper exploration of Shakespeare’s characters and their relationships, highlighting the joyful and healthy aspects of love, while hinting at the dramas that arise from misunderstandings and external conflicts that challenge these ideals.
Bradford Torrey
Friends on the Shelf
"Friends on the Shelf" by Bradford Torrey is a reflective essay collection written in the early 20th century. The book explores the lives and thoughts of significant literary figures such as William Hazlitt and Edward FitzGerald, delving into the nature of friendship, solitude, and the sustained impact of literature on one’s life. The opening of the book introduces the theme of literary companionship through a meditation on Hazlitt, illustrating his complexity as a person who, despite numerous disappointments, maintained a profound appreciation for life and its joys. Torrey presents Hazlitt’s thoughts on happiness, the importance of emotional richness, and the interplay between memory and sentimentality. The text also hints at the exploration of various other writers, indicating that the book will weave together snippets of their philosophies and literary contributions, celebrating a deep camaraderie with the written word and the solace it provides.
May Byron
A Day with Keats
"A Day with Keats" by May Byron is a biographical account written in the early 20th century that offers an intimate glimpse into the life of the poet John Keats. This work focuses on a single day in Keats's life, exploring his artistic temperament, personal struggles, and romantic entanglements, particularly his relationship with Fanny Brawne. It is a reflective piece that delves into the themes of beauty, aspiration, love, and melancholy that are prevalent in Keats's work and life. In this narrative, Byron presents Keats as a sensitive and passionate figure, juxtaposing his poetic genius with the harsh realities of his health and societal circumstances. The book details Keats's morning in Hampstead, his interactions with friends and Fanny, his poetic inspirations, and his battles with self-doubt and despair. Through vivid descriptions and excerpts of his poetry, Byron illustrates how Keats's yearning for beauty is intricately tied to his experiences of love and loss. The narrative highlights the essence of Keats’s artistic vision, his appreciation of nature, and the personal conflicts that haunt him, ultimately framing the poet's fleeting happiness against the backdrop of his looming mortality.
Leon H. (Leon Henry) Vincent
The Bibliotaph, and Other People
"The Bibliotaph and Other People" by Leon H. Vincent is a collection of essays written in the late 19th century. This volume explores the eccentricities and passions of book collectors, particularly focusing on the character of the Bibliotaph, a passionate book collector whose life revolves around acquiring and cherishing rare volumes. Vincent blends humor and insight as he reflects on the romantic yet often misunderstood world of bibliophiles. At the start of the collection, the narrative introduces the concept of bibliophilia by painting a vivid picture of the Bibliotaph, a larger-than-life character driven by a deep passion for books. The opening portion details his eccentric behavior, including the whimsical justifications for why one might need multiple copies of the same book. Vincent contrasts different types of book collectors, illustrating their motivations and the complexities of their obsessions. The Bibliotaph's love for books is shown alongside his humorous takes on life, suggesting a deep but playful engagement with the literary world.
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