作者: Don Delaney

John Keats (1795–1821) was an English Romantic poet whose work is renowned for its sensual imagery and profound musings on beauty, love, and death. Despite his tragically short life, Keats” profound influence as a master of lyric poetry remains indisputable. After training as a surgeon, Keats decided to dedicate himself entirely to poetry. His most significant works emerged from an intensely creative period in his life, producing classics such as “Ode to a Nightingale”, “Ode on a Grecian Urn”, “Ode on Melancholy”, “To Autumn”, and the epic “Hyperion”. Keats” poetry, characterised by its vivid imagery, emotional depth, and contemplation of the transitory nature of life, has become emblematic of the Romantic era. His work continues to inspire and is widely studied, exemplifying the utmost passion and talent which flourished and faded in the span of a few short years. His letters also provide significant insights into his poetic theory and aesthetics — often regarded as literary works in themselves. Keats” literary style was once critiqued for its “excessive” sensuality but is now celebrated for its rich textures and embodiment of Romanticism”s ideals. Despite his lack of widespread acclaim during his lifetime, Keats is today considered one of the great English poets, leaving behind a legacy that endures and enchants well into the modern age.