To The World, I Say This...

Essay: John Keats' "His Last Sonnet -- a critical analysis

There is no doubt that the Romantic Period was a time of questioning and pondering Nature and her children. The main poets of this period took in what was around them and wrote about it as if every leaf, every animal, every particle in the air was something new to be explored. John Keats was one of these poets. Dying at age 25, Keats was never to see that most of his poems, criticized at first by other poets, would become famous. Approximately fourteen years after his death, Keats’ “His Last Sonnet” was published. By way of critical analysis, “His Last Sonnet” is found to be an important example of Romantic poetry, relevant in Keats’ time whilst being relevant in the 21st century, and is appealing mainly because of Keats’ stunning use of visual imagery.

Keats’ “His Last Sonnet” is an important example of Romantic poetry and can be seen in two ways. Firstly, this poem could have been describing a woman. If that is so, then Keats is describing her as being a radiant, steadfast being by saying, “Bright star, would I were steadfast as thou art” (line 1). It is believed that he could have written this poem for a woman with whom he was infatuated. Secondly, this poem could have been taken literally, therefore, Keats was writing about a star, which is also a popular theory. He says that the star ‘sees’ “the new soft fallen mask/ of snow upon the mountains and the moors” (lines 7 and 8) from its great height in the sky. He takes note of how the star never changes, but moves slowly and gracefully in the sky. This, then, is also an example of Romanticism because Keats is commenting on nature, which is a popular theme in many Romantic works.

 In addition to this poem being an important example of poetry, “His Last Sonnet” is found to be relevant both in Keats’ time and in the 21st century. In the Romantic Period, “His Last Sonnet” is relevant because of its show of love towards nature. He doesn’t describe the star ‘seeing’ cities, towns, or man’s works. He says the star “sees” all of nature. In the 21st century, many a person still marvel at the stars and the constellations they make. “His Last Sonnet”, coincidentally, is like “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”. The first publication of “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” was released in 1806, only 15 years before Keats’ death. In like fashion, “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” and “His Last Sonnet” both describe a star as being perched high in the sky, shining down on the earth. In the 21st century, children still sing this nursery rhyme. Another example of its dual relevance is how the poem represents the wonder and curiosity man has held for stars and other heavenly entities. In Keats’ time, they would have known the stars only as mysterious lights in the sky. In the 21st century, one would define a star as a huge ball of gas, containing enormous amounts of power, emitting tremendous amounts of light and heat to the moons, planets and other bodies around it. Still, though, people look into a similar sky with similar interest and wonder as people in Keats’ time might have done.

In addition to this poem being an important example of poetry and having a dual relevance, “His Last Sonnet” is extremely appealing due to its stunning visual imagery. Many times throughout the short poem, Keats’ makes excellent use of many adjectives (such as “bright star” (line 1), “moving waters” (line 5), and “soft fallen mask” (line 7)), personifications (such as “watching” (line 3), “sleepless” (line 4), and “gazing” (line 7)), and  metaphors (such as “with eternal lids apart” (line 3), “new soft fallen mask” (line 7), and “my fair love’s ripening breast” (line 10)). This visual imagery draws the picture of the star being a kind of sleepless, unblinking, patient, bright eye “hung” (line 2) in the sky at night. All of this adds to the overall significance of the poem.

In conclusion, Keats’ “His Last Sonnet” is a great example of Romantic poetry, has a dual relevance, and has poetic devices that create stunning visual imagery in the reader’s mind. With that said, it is entirely possible that one might call this poem an adult version of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”.