Question 1: "In the two poems below, Keats and Longfellow reflect on similar concerns. Read the poems carefully. Then write an essay in which you compare and contrast the two poems, analyzing the poetic techniques each writer uses to explore his particular situation."
Many writers attempt to reflect the inevitability of death in their writing, and Keats and Longfellow are no different. Through the use tone, diction, and imagery, "When I Have Fears" and "Mezzo Cammin" capture each poet's regrets, unfulfilled dream, and the value of life itself. However, their work begins to stray from each other as they progress. Keats's initial sorrow transforms into acceptance of his approaching death while Longfellow's transforms into increasing panic. Keats views death as an opportunity to peacefully contemplate life. Longfellow arrives to the same conclusion but does so by viewing death as sudden and tragic.
The similarities in "When I have Fears" and "Mezzo Cammin" are found in the beginning where Keats and Longfellow express the briefness of life. Keats acknowledges that he has “fears that... [he] may cease to be." However, he is more fearful of dying before his "pen has glean’d...[his] teeming brain/ Before high piled books, in charactery.” Thus revealing that Keats afraid of leaving his literary goals unfinished. He is afraid of dying without having the chance to write all he wants. He is afraid of dying without writing many books. However, his uneasy tone reveals that Keats recognizes life as fleeting and its quick end. Longfellow begins his poem with "Half of my life is gone, and I have let / The years slip from me" which shows that he also painfully aware the short-nature of life despite being only midway through. Like Keats, Longfellow shares a similar tone and his concerns of dying before accomplishing "the aspirations of... [his] youth." Both men are able to grasp the preciousness of life and the lack of time they have to attain their goals.
In the middle of their poems, Keats and Longfellow reminisce of their pasts and lament on their regrets yet the diction indicates that roots of each poet's regrets is different. Keats uses phrases such as "Huge cloudy symbols of a high romance," "magic hand of chance," and "faery power" which have a magical and fantasy-like connotation. It illustrates his belief that the wonders and joys of life, like love, happen by chance. Unable to experience these things, Keats looks back on his life, showing remorse for all of things he was not able to do. On the other hand, Longfellow explains that "sorrow.../ Kept...[him] from what... [he] may accomplish." This shows that Longfellow regrets what he has done, letting sorrow and paranoia control his life, rather than what he has not done.
The imagery at the end of each poem ultimately illustrates where each author differs as they handle their impending deaths in two different natures. Keats describes himself "on the shore / Of the wide world." The seashore serves as symbol of life and death in which he "stand[s] alone and think[s]." Keats views death itself as a slow process where he can reflect in solitude about his past. The image of a shore is gives off a more tranquil feeling when compared the the unease expressed at the beginning. Longfellow depicts death as a waterfall that is "thundering from the heights." This image paints death as more sudden and loud. The "blast" in "autumnal blast" makes death seem more jarring and powerful. Because "autumnal" is symbolic of aging, death is also portrayed as dreadful and looming. All of this emphasizes his inability to cope and come to terms with his death, most likely because he has more years to live than Keats does.
Although death is a topic that appears frequently through literature, Keats and Longfellow share many different attitudes towards death in their poems "When I Have Fears" and "Mezzo Cammin." While both poets begin with unease, Keats's tone becomes more accepting while Longfellow's becomes dreadful. How they cope with death is also unique. They are able to successfully employ their similar yet distinct views of death by using tone, diction, and imagery.
Although death is a topic that appears frequently through literature, Keats and Longfellow share many different attitudes towards death in their poems "When I Have Fears" and "Mezzo Cammin." While both poets begin with unease, Keats's tone becomes more accepting while Longfellow's becomes dreadful. How they cope with death is also unique. They are able to successfully employ their similar yet distinct views of death by using tone, diction, and imagery.
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