Abstract This paper analyzes Keats' poem with respect to the laws of a Shakespearean sonnet and the spirit of the Romantics. The paper examines the wording, motif, style, diction, religious associations and use of personification to analyze and interpret the meaning of the poem.
From the Paper "In his poem, "Bright Star, Would I Were as Thou Art"(1819), Keats (John, 1795-1821) allows a close insight into a moment of intimacy between lovers while one is sound asleep and the other--who narrates--wishes to eternally stand guard beside his beloved one. By constructing a definite scheme of a Shakespearean sonnet, Keats exploits the classical elements of such a love sonnet (e.g., courtly love, masculine subjection before a mistress, and so on) to the advantage of, generally, the themes and ideals of his time , such as the mystery in nature, solitude, the meditation of the creative spirit; where personally, Keats 'injects' into the poem the themes more common of his style: the recognition of the claims of passion and emotion in the living and the vulnerability and temporality in human life as overshadowed by death. An even more intimate perception of the poem would eventually reveal the innuendoes related to Keats' own tragic love-life, and not in vain, for it was characteristic of the poets of that period to "invite [their] readers to identify the hero with the writer. ""
Abstract This paper explains that "Beowulf", composed circa 800A.D. and written circa 1000 A.D., is a classic epic depicting kings, queens, knights, blood feuds, monsters and dragons. The author points out that, because Beowulf, the main character, has brain and brawn, which are highlighted throughout the tale, and is dignified, brave, wise and a superior warrior; only a commendable challenger is capable of defeating him. The paper relates that there are many monstrous beasts that Beowulf encounters and defeats; however, the dragon is not a monster but rather the most worthy adversary of any beast Beowulf encounters, whose death glorifies both the dragon himself and Beowulf. The paper includes several quotations as examples.
From the Paper "Although the dragon was not trying to get his treasure back in a civilized manor, he can't be asked to; he is in-fact an animal. It is hard to imagine now, but in the time the poem was composed, a dragon was considered to be an animal. Similar to how people may view Lochness or Bigfoot today, an animal that may or may not exist. It is important to understand that people of the time thought of a dragon as an animal because by accepting he is one, in-turn accepts that he does not have a conscience of right and wrong. Animals may have emotions, such as happiness, fear, or rage, but they do not have a concept of good or evil."
