Twin roses by the zephyr blown apart
Only to meet again more close, and share
The inward fragrance of each other’s heart.”
Isabella; or, the Pot of Basil
Author – John Keats
First Published – 1820
Genre – Narrative poem using inspiration from a section of Decameron by 14th century Italian writer Boccaccio
Setting – Medieval Italy
Heroine – Isabella
Hero – Isabella’s lover, Lorenzo
Antagonist – Isabella’s brothers
Star of the Book – The pot of basil that holds Lorenzo’s head
Favorite Secondary Character – It’s a tie between the ghost of Lorenzo and the head of Lorenzo. The latter may sound silly, but the head of the poor murdered Lorenzo does play a vital part in the story.
Sad Tidbit – Keats wrote the poem in 1818. By the time it was published in 1820, Keats pretty much knew that the tuberculosis he suffered from would soon end his life. He died the following year in Italy at age 25. Remember what Percy Bysshe Shelley said of Keats: “Bright star, were I as steadfast as thou.”
Vital Part Where the Ghost Appears –
“In the drowsy gloom,
The dull of midnight, at her couch’s foot
Lorenzo stood, and wept: the forest tomb
Had marr’d his glossy hair which once could shoot
Lustre into the sun, and put cold doom
Upon his lips, and taken the soft lute
From his lorn voice.”
I hope you enjoyed touching upon the tragic poem Isabella; or, the Pot of Basil by John Keats and seeing the beautiful painting by John Holman Hunt. Love is mythic because love is real.
Cheers & Happy Reading!
Flossie Benton Rogers, Conjuring the Magic with Paranormal Fantasy Romance
Passionate, dangerous romance as Isabella’s or Romeo and Juliette’s are always topic of great literary works. Why? Because they reflect real love and life.
Thanks for reminding me of Keats’s beautiful poetry!
His lyrical prowess always leaves me with a very special feeling.
Keats makes me cry. I love his poetry and I often cry at it. The sense of loss for such talent to be taken so young is hard to deal with. His life story and his love Fanny Brawne is one of the most romantic tales from an era laced with romance. Thanks for letting me feel him through his words.
It’s amazing he wrote such lasting poems at such as early age– passion combined with incomparable an lyrical voice.
I often read Keats. I have a book of his poems that I keep on my dresser, indulging whenever I want a taste of lyrical mastery or poetic vision. I ad no idea he died so young. I’m shocked and saddened. What an exceptional talent!
His love of beauty and of the classics really shines through his words.
I love Keats. You always come up with the most intriguing posts!
He is one of a kind for sure.