This living hand, now warm and capable

By: John Keats

John Keats (1795-1821)

• John Keats was the first child of both Thomas and Frances Keats, they had three more sons and last of all a daughter. In 1803 John went away to school at Enfield. In the following year Johns father was killed in a fatal fall from a horses back. Before poetry he was interested in the medical field and more specifically the want of becoming a surgeon. At age 13 he began focusing his energy towards reading and studying helping him win his first academic prize in midsummer of 1809. He died unexpectedly from the well known disease called Tuberculosis.

• Born: 31-Oct-1795Birthplace: Finsbury Pavement, London, EnglandDied: 23-Feb-1821

Location of death: Rome, Italy

Genre: Romantic & Dramatic

Form : Free Form

How does the language of the poem contribute to its meaning?

The diction within this poem helps the narrator give a straight forward possibility of her future without him.

“ That thou would wish thine own heart dry of blood.” This line or phrase is particularly potent because if she does not take the opportunity given to her she might regret it.

Alliteration: conscience – calm’d-

How is the poem organized?

Free form poem, complete phrases, the form and meaning of the poem relate by conveying the free form style with his writing which is freely written. The ending does contain a sort of resolution by stating at this point in time that opportunity given is only up for grabs.

In this free formed poem a rhyme nor rhythm scheme is found, but even without either literary device it is most intriguing.

Dramatic context of the poem

In the poem the speaker is confessing his love.He is pouring his heart out to the woman he loves, in hope to make her understand that the love he offers is now.

What motivates the speaker to speak now, in the tone he uses?

The speaker shows bias by telling the girl thatthere is no other time to receive his love but in truth she has all the time in the world until death.

Imagery: personifying handMetaphor: for loving again or taking a chance

Theme:

Live Life To The Fullest

Who Is Talking?

The Male Speaker

To whom is the speaker talking?

The speaker is talking to the audience/ reader as a warning or can also be interpreted by him speaking to his loved one.

What happens during the poem?

He is extending his hand out towards the girl to hold, andis telling her that if she doesn’ttake this opportunity to hold it now, she will feel guilty whenhe’s dead.

Initial Response

Our initial response to the poem was the inspiration we received from his message.

He portrayed love as a heat of the moment experience and a decision that should be made before you lose the opportunity given to you. We also feel as if the poem

could be a warning to the audience.

With this hand I shall Take love by the throat. Waste no time and with Much haste I will show- Show this seemingly naïve World that time we consume Is certainly no typical joke. Time that will wither can take Along a shiver- A shiver of the presence that love once had. Show no hesitation, making your Choice because there is no astounding purpose of love with out a voice.

Improved Poem

This new poem is straight- forward unlike the original and the reader would receive more insight.

This has been a K’hazandra & Jessica production!!