John Keats Letters

  

A Letter For You

11 October 1819

John Keats was born in Moorfields, London. His father, Thomas, worked in the Swan and Hoop Inn and Stables owned by his wife Frances’ father (Keats’ maternal grandfather). In 24, 1819 he met and fell in love with Fanny Brawn, his neighbour in Hampstead. Shortly afterwards he began to show the first signs of tuberculosis and after overseeing the publication of his final book of poetry, Lamia, Isabella, The Eve of St Agnes and Other Poems, he left England for Italy,  arriving in Naples in late 1820. Then travelling on to Rome, where he died in 26 February 1821.

As I read Keat’s letters to Fanny Brawne, I realized that they were a very loving and romantic couple. The letters were full of romance. Keats's letters to Fanny Brawne are among the most well-known love letters ever written.  As next door neighbors, they exchanged numerous short notes, and occasionally more loving ones.  None of Fanny's letters to Keats survive.  From his, however, it seems he was often unsettled by her behavior and uncertain of her affection.  His illness brought them closer; when he left for Rome, they were engaged and deeply in love.

Shelley and Keats met in late 1816 via their common friend, Leigh Hunt.  Their occasional walks along Hampstead Heath resulted in Shelley advising Keats to not publish his early verse.  The advice was well-meant but understandably bothered Keats.  Later, when Shelley was a voluntarily send away in Italy, the two poets exchanged letters.  By this time, Keats's genius had matured and Shelley was a devoted and wholehearted admirer.  Keats's illness prompted an invitation from Shelley and his wife to stay with them in Italy; Keats declined, traveling instead with Joseph Severn as his attendant.  When Shelley drowned in 1822, a copy of Keats's workwas found in his pocket. 

Keats' poetry is not proposed to be merely a salve for the troubles of the world, something to cheer the reader when unhappy. He recognizes the role that poetry can make to the enhancement of human life and feels that he is ministering to physical needs just as much as if he had pursued his life as a physician. However the that ambivalence is evident in Keats' work reflects .