What is the usefulness of Keats‟s letters? (MEG 102) (SECOND GENERATION OF ROMANTIC POETS)

The letters of John Keats are highly regarded as an important source of insight into the life and thought of one of the greatest poets of the Romantic era. Some of the usefulness of Keats's letters are:

Biographical information: Keats's letters provide a wealth of information about his personal life, including his family, friends, and romantic relationships. They offer a glimpse into his daily activities, his struggles with illness and financial difficulties, and his thoughts and feelings about his poetry and artistic aspirations.

Literary criticism: Keats's letters contain a great deal of literary criticism, both of his own work and that of other poets. In his letters, Keats offers insightful and often detailed analysis of the techniques and themes of poetry, and he provides valuable commentary on the work of his contemporaries such as Shelley and Wordsworth.

Philosophy and aesthetics: Keats's letters also reveal his philosophical and aesthetic views, including his ideas about the nature of beauty, the role of the imagination, and the relationship between art and life. They offer a window into the intellectual and cultural context of the Romantic era, and provide a valuable resource for scholars and students of literature and intellectual history.

Epistolary style: In addition to their content, Keats's letters are also highly regarded for their literary style. Keats was a gifted and eloquent writer, and his letters display a remarkable range of emotions and moods, from playfulness and humor to profound sadness and despair. They are considered among the finest examples of English epistolary literature, and are often studied as works of art in their own right.

Overall, Keats's letters are a valuable source of information and insight into the life and work of one of the most important poets of the Romantic era, and they continue to be studied and appreciated by scholars and readers around the world.