John Keats's abiding poetic legacy is one of extraordinary and triumphant richne
ss. Before the moment of 'self-will' when he declared his intention to be a poet
, Keats (1795-1821) had chosen the medical profession. His apothecary's training
influenced his conception of poetry as an art that could mitigate the world's s
uffering.
Keats's generous spirit triumphed over personal sadness, finding ex
pression in his concept of life as a 'vale of Soul-making' rather than a vale of
tears. He published only three volumes before his death at the age of 25, and,
while many of his contemporaries quickly recognized his genius, snobbery and pol
itical hostility led the Tory press to vilify him. This selection, chosen from t
he Oxford Authors critical edition of Keats's major works, demonstrates the rema
rkable growth in maturity of his verse, from early poems such as 'Imitation of S
penser' and 'Ode to Apollo' to later work such as 'The Eve of St Agnes', 'Ode to
a Nightingale', and 'To Autumn'.
Elizabeth Cook's introduction, notes and gl
ossary of classical names offer helpful insights into Keats's life and work.
