Commentary on Sonnet Bright Star by John Keats Essay

Bright wiz, would I were stedfast as thou finesse is a sonnet by John Keats. Although this poesy has the structure of a Shakespearean sonnet, it is also thematically divided into an octave followed by a sestet, comparable an Italian sonnet. In the eldest octave, imagery and figurative diction are intentiond to depict the sections entrust to be as eternal and regular as the thaumaturgist without being stray and distant from the world. In the following sestet, the isolation yet permanence of temper is contrasted with the intimacy between the persona and his sleeping lover. Through the structure of the Italian sonnet, the steady rhythm of the Shakespearean sonnet and myriad literary techniques, Keats explores the privileged conflict of the persona as he wishes to have the best of both(prenominal) worlds the steadfastness of nature and the warmth and intimacy of being human.In the first octave, figurative language is used to depict the personas marvel of the head teacher s steadfastness and illustrate the cold, isolated quality of the star and all of nature. This steadfastness is emphasized through the use of the iambic pentameter and the ABAB verse scheme, which gives the poem a slow, steady rhythm, just like the steadiness of the star. The personas admiration of this steadfastness is shown through the first simple eye, which is an example of an apostrophe as the persona addresses the star this technique also initiates a contemplative fashion through the use of the subjunctive would. The personification of the star gazing and watching, with eternal lids by makes the star imagem like a lone(prenominal) contemplative being. The stars lone positionss is emphasized as it is hung aloft in lone splendor, giving the image of a star floating superior above from earth.The fact that the star is gazing on the new soft- pickpocketen mask/of degree centigrade also suggests its large distance from earth, as the star is unable to discern the real earth, and is so far away that it can only see a mask, a word which becomes emphasized when reading the poem due to the rhyme scheme. The mention of the snow also makes the noise calculate cold and peaceful. The simile and allusion as the star is compared to a patient, sleepless Eremite, which is a religious hermit, serves to further enhance our image of the star as an of all timelasting, steadfast creation patiently observing earth from high above. This role of the star is similar to the role of the persona in the final sestet as he quietly observes his sleeping fair(a) love, but the authoritative difference is that while the persona is desirably close to his lover, the star is alone and aloft, which is what the persona does not want to be.The last line of the octave ends with an em dash, and there is a volta, or a change in intuitive feeling and thought as the poem shifts from describing the star and the quiet nature to picture the intimacy between the persona and his lover as the persona expresses his desire to stay in this sweet moment forever, as eternal as the star. The volta between the octave and sestet, serves to contrast the cold, distant quality of star with the warm, internal quality of human relationships. In the first line of the final sestet, the tone changes from contemplative to more conversational as the personal declares No.In the following lines, the alliteration in still stedfast, still and soft fall and swell make the tone soothing and comfortable. In line 13, the repetition of still and the alliteration of hear her and tender-taken tends to force the reader to say the in all line in one breath, so that his/her breath becomes tender-taken as well, and emphasizes the content, carnal and intimate tone. The intimacy of the lovers is shown through the imagery Pillowd upon my fair loves ripening breast, which reflects the closeness that persona determine but that the star lacks.However, there is also an undertone of conflict and accent be neath this comfort as the persona struggles with his unfulfillable desire to be as steadfast as the star while having the intimacy that only valet de chambre can achieve. This tension is reflected though the repetition of still in line 9 and then later in line 13, and the repetition of for ever in lines 11 and 12. Through the repetition of these phrases, the desperation with which the persona desires to be with his lover for eternity is suggested, but because the reader knows that the personas vivification is evanescent, there is tension as the persona longs for an impossible wish.This tension is change magnitude by the oxymoron of sweet unrest and by the climactic last line of the poem And so live ever-or else swoon to dying. The use of the phrase or else seems ominous, especially because we know that in reality, he will not be able to become as steadfast as the star, so he will eventually die. However, the tone becomes less gloomy through the use of the word swoon, the positi ve connotation of which suggests that the persona accepts a final stage in love. This implies that although he deeply wishes he could be eternal like the star, he realizes that this is not possible and thus embraces his status as a ephemeral human gifted with intimacy by accepting death as long as he experiences love in his life. The entailment of the last two lines of the poem is emphasized, as they are a rhymed couplet.Ultimately, Keats masterful use of figurative language results in a deeply meaningful sonnet that contrasts the eternal but isolated qualities of nature with the ephemeral but intimate qualities humans. Although this sonnet is short, its scope is large as it explores the internal desires of the persona to have the best of both worlds. Through the many literary techniques, the poet reveals the conflict between the impossible desires and the possible, and the natural world and human world.