John Keats and his Poem 'On the Sea'

John Keats's Contribution to Romanticism

John Keats, a quintessential figure in the Romanticism movement, was an English poet whose brief but impactful career left an indelible mark on literature. Born on October 31, 1795, Keats initially pursued medical studies before committing himself to poetry. His oeuvre, though produced within a short span due to his untimely death from tuberculosis on February 23, 1821, at age 25, is celebrated for its emotional depth, vivid imagery, and classical motifs. Romanticism, a movement that flourished from the late 18th to the early 19th century, championed individualism, the beauty of the natural world, and the expression of intense emotions, all of which resonate powerfully in Keats's work.

The Structure of Keats's 'On the Sea'

'On the Sea' exemplifies the Petrarchan sonnet form, a poetic structure perfected by the Italian poet Petrarch. This sonnet style is composed of 14 lines, traditionally divided into an octave with the rhyme scheme ABBAABBA, and a sestet that may follow various patterns, such as CDECDE or CDCDCD. Keats's 'On the Sea' adheres to this form, with the octave describing the sea's boundless nature and the sestet reflecting on its profound impact on humanity. The disciplined structure of the Petrarchan sonnet provides a framework for Keats to deliver a focused meditation on the sea's grandeur and its emotional resonance with the human spirit.