Advancing in Poetry Advancing in Poetry    

Lesson 25: Bright Star, would I were steadfast as thou art

by John Keats

Performer: Librivox - Winston Tharp

Directions

Study the poem for one week.

Over the week:

• Read or listen to the poem.
• Review the synopsis.
• Read about the poet.
• Complete the enrichment activities.

Synopsis

John Keats wrote 'Bright Star, would I were steadfast as thou art' for Fanny Brawne, his 'Bright Star,' to whom he formed a deep attachment. In the poem, Keats strives to remain as steady and eternal in his love as a bright star in the sky.

Concepts

1. John Keats was born in 1795 in London, England.

2. Zoom in and find Keats' city and country of birth, London, England, on the map of Europe.

3. Keats was the son of a stableman. His father cared for horses at an in and later managed the inn.
4. Keats attended boarding school starting when he was 7 years old.
5. By the time Keats was 16, he had lost both of his parents, his father falling from a horse and his mother dying of tuberculosis.
6. Keats trained to be a doctor and received his apothecary's license, but he abandoned medicine for poetry.
7. Keats contracted tuberculosis. On the advice of his doctors, he traveled to Rome, Italy. Despite the favorable weather, he died in Italy at the age of 25.
8. Keats' poetry only became popular after his death.
9. Find Keats' city and country of death, Rome, Italy, on the map of Europe.

Enrichment

Activity 1: Recite Poem Information

Recite the title of the poem and the name of the poet.

Activity 2: Study the Poem Picture

Study the poem picture and describe how it relates to the poem.

Activity 3: Recite the Poem

Practice reciting the poem aloud.

Activity 4: Complete Book Activities   

• Click the crayon above, and complete pages 157-163 of 'Elementary Poetry 4: Advancing in Poetry.'

References

'John Keats.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.