A Thing of Beauty
John Keats
A thing of beauty is a joy forever
Its loveliness increases, it will never
Pass into nothingness; but will keep
A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.
This poem is written by John Keats. In this poem, the poet talks about the everlasting value of beautiful things around us. The poet says that a beautiful thing gives us joy forever. The loveliness of beauty keeps on increasing, and it never becomes meaningless for us. It is a beauty that makes a cool shady place for us in the orchard, where we can enjoy a sound sleep that can be full of sweet dreams, can reinvigorate our health. Alternately, one can also relax under the cool shadow of a tree.
Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing
A flowery band to bind us to the earth,
Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth
Of noble natures, of the gloomy days,
Of all the unhealthy and o’er-darkened ways
Made for our searching: yes, in spite of all,
It is because of the beauty of the nature that we bind a wreath of flowers on our head so that we remain attached to our roots. What is wonderful is that all of this happens in spite of all the sorrows, miseries, pains, trials and tribulations which we have to go through in our life.
Some shape of beauty moves away the pall
From our dark spirits.
Such the sun, the moon,
Trees old, and young, sprouting a shady boon
There are certain beautiful things which always move away the gloom from our bad times. Some examples of such beautiful things are the sun, the moon, and trees. Trees are beautiful as they provide us with the boon or blessings of shade.
For simple sheep; and such are daffodils
With the green world they live in; and clear rills
That for themselves a cooling covert make
‘Gainst the hot season; the mid forest brake,
Rich with a sprinkling of fair musk-rose blooms;
There can be a long list of beautiful things which ensure that we remain happy. Sheep are beautiful, rivers and streams are beautiful too. A river makes a cooling splash when it traverses through a forest full of thick mass of ferns. The beautiful ferns always emanate the aroma of musk-rose.
And such too is the grandeur of the dooms
We have imagined for the mighty dead;
All lovely tales that we have heard or read;
An endless fountain of immortal drink,
Pouring unto us from the heaven’s brink.
Even the dead are beautiful because we always take inspiration from our mighty ancestors who have long left for their heavenly abode. Most of us still remember the wonderful tales of our ancestors. These inspiring stories are endless fountains of immortal drink being poured from the heaven.
Think It Out
Question 1: List the things of beauty mentioned in the poem.
Answer: Sun, moon, sheep, daffodils, river, fern, tree
Question 2: List the things that cause suffering and pain.
Answer: Goals, ambitions, pains, gloom,
Question 3: What does the line, ‘Therefore are we wreathing a flowery band to bind us to earth’ suggest to you?
Answer: It is because of the beauty of the nature that we bind a wreath of flowers on our head so that we remain attached to our roots. What is wonderful is that all of this happens in spite of all the sorrows, miseries, pains, trials and tribulations which we have to go through in our life.
Life is really beautiful and precious. We have an in built desire to live life to the full in spite of all the troubles which we need to encounter during the course of life.
Question 4: What makes human beings love life in spite of troubles and sufferings?
Answer: Answer to this question is more or less same as that of previous question.
Question 5: Why is ‘grandeur’ associated with the ‘mighty dead’?
Answer: Even the dead are beautiful because we always take inspiration from our mighty ancestors who have long left for their heavenly abode. Most of us still remember the wonderful tales of our ancestors. These inspiring stories are endless fountains of immortal drink being poured from the heaven. That is why grandeur is associated with the mighty dead.
Question 6: Do we experience things of beauty only for short moments or do they make a lasting impression on us?
Answer: In this poem, the poet talks about the everlasting value of beautiful things around us. The poet says that a beautiful thing gives us joy forever. The loveliness of beauty keeps on increasing, and it never becomes meaningless for us.
Question 7: What image does the poet use to describe the beautiful bounty of the earth?
Answer: There can be a long list of beautiful things which ensure that we remain happy. Sheep are beautiful, rivers and streams are beautiful too. A river makes a cooling splash when it traverses through a forest full of thick mass of ferns. The beautiful ferns always emanate the aroma of musk-rose.