Creation and Death: An Analysis of Keats's "When I Have Fears That I May Cease to Be"

Because he died so young, Keats' poetry is often read biographically. Readers usually come to the consensus that his death at 25 years of age robbed the world of one of its greatest writers. And Keats certainly thought his early death doomed him to obscurity. However, though the death is tragic, it's looming presence might be the very reason Keats became such a great writer to begin with.
Stick around for a reading, summary, and analysis of John Keats' "When I Have Fears That I May Cease to Be."
When I have fears that I may cease to be
Before my pen has gleaned my teeming brain,
Before high-pilèd books, in charactery,
Hold like rich garners the full ripened grain;
When I behold, upon the night’s starred face,
Huge cloudy symbols of a high romance,
And think that I may never live to trace
Their shadows with the magic hand of chance;
And when I feel, fair creature of an hour,
That I shall never look upon thee more,
Never have relish in the faery power
Of unreflecting love-then on the shore
Of the wide world I stand alone, and think
Till love and fame to nothingness do sink.
1818
While Keats has been known for his poetry for centuries, his letters have more recently garnished attention. Modern Library has an awesome collection that includes both:
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[@pauls.9228]

Beautiful reading and analysis of this powerful poem. I’ve lived much longer than Keats, but I face the same disillusionments and fears, that time is running out, life will soon end, and my life’s work will be all for nought. This poem haunts me…thank you for your sensitive reading.

[@OxfordCommaEducation]

Thank you so much for the incredibly kind comment.

[@RobertJamesChinneryH]

Glad to see someone actually questioning time spent in our lives on the internet :my generation is from a simpler time when life was good and simple

[@bellringer929]

Your voice is adding some more mystery and gloom to Keats sonnet

[@gentillygirl545]

The warning of a foresightful dying young man -- who should have been in his prime -- not to waste time. Emotional gold runs through our fingers daily, and we don't realize until it is too late. That is the poignancy of the lost soul: I had it in my sites; I knew it; I felt it; but I failed to act. Now, it is too late.

[@OxfordCommaEducation]

I think you've captured the essence of the poem perfectly.

[@RubiksTheGamer]

@Raven 619 what called for that lmao

[@RubiksTheGamer]

@Raven 619 I feel that, more than I feel this poem

[@RubiksTheGamer]

@Raven 619 its not that I dislike it I just get bored sometimes

[@karim6085]

Very good analysis!

[@joanmorrissey4257]

Analysis starts at 00:54

[@stormyweather3587]

Shut up

[@berrysmith5519]

Your voice is awesome 👍 is it your real one or computerized?

[@OxfordCommaEducation]

Thanks Berry! I do spend a lot of time cleaning up my audio, but it is my real voice.

[@berrysmith5519]

@@OxfordCommaEducation OMG!!!!! This is your real voice.....I can't believe 😮😮😮

[@chriszflenkientertainmenti8482]

Jony hier, ziet iemand van havo 5 deze comment? XD