Question

Regarded as one of the English language’s most gifted poets, John Keats wrote poetry that concentrated on imagery, human nature, and philosophy. Although Keats didn’t receive much formal literary education, his own studies and passion brought him much success. Additionally, his own life situation influenced his poetry greatly.

Growing up as a young boy in London in a lower middle-class family, the young John didn’t attend a private school, but went to a public one. His teachers and his family’s friends regarded him as an optimistic boy who favored playing and fighting much more than minding his studies. After his father’s death in the early 1800s, followed by his mother’s passing due to tuberculosis (肺结核), he began viewing life differently. He wanted to escape the world and did so by reading anything he could get his hands on.

At around the age of 16, the teenage John Keats began studying under a surgeon so that he too might become a doctor. However, his literary appetite had taken too much of his fancy, especially with his addiction to the poetry of Ehmund Spenser. He was able to have his first full poem published in the Examiner in 1816, entitled O Solitude! If I Must With Thee Dwell. Within two months in 1817, Keats had written an entire volume of poetry, but was sharply criticized by a magazine. However, the negative response didn’t stop his pursuit of rhythm (对韵律的追求).

John Keats’ next work was Endymion, which was published in May 1818. The story involves a shepherd who falls in love with the moon goddess and leads him on an adventure of one boy’s hope to overcome the limitations of being human. Following Endymion, however, he tried something more narrative-based and wrote Isabella. During this time, John Keats began seeing his limitations in poetry due to his own limit in life experiences. He would have to have the “knowledge” associated with his poems. His next work was Hyperion that would attempt to combine all that he learned. However, a bout (发作) with tuberculosis while visiting Italy would keep him from his work and eventually take his life in 1821.

1.John Keats’ attitude towards life changed because of _________.

A. the deaths of his parents

B. his early education from school

C. Edmund Spenser’s poetry

D. the criticism of a magazine

2.What is the common thing between John Keats and his mother?

A. They died of the same disease.

B. They had a bad childhood.

C. They read many books.

D. They showed strong interest in poetry.

3.While pursuing his dream of becoming a poet first, John Keats was _________.

A. impatient B. experienced

C. knowledgeable D. determined

4.What do we know from the passage?

A. Keats received little education at school.

B. In 1816 Keats spent two months writing a poem.

C. Keats once had a chance of becoming a doctor.

D. Endymion was about a real love story.

Answer 1