The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #164514   Message #3938854
Posted By: keberoxu
22-Jul-18 - 11:02 PM
Thread Name: BS: Anyone for Keats?
Subject: RE: BS: Anyone for Keats?
Steve Shaw pointed out something apropos,
in quoting Wordsworth.

Wordsworth was initially of importance to Keats.
But Keats, maturing at frightening speed beyond his years
(at moments he reminds me of Mozart),
not only outgrew Leigh Hunt (who remained his friend)
but he had second thoughts about Wordsworth as well.

And Big Al Whittle put his finger on something.
Keats came of age during the Regency era
when the English were congratulating themselves
on succeeding where the French aristocracy had failed,
in keeping entire classes of their fellow men
from getting ideas above their station.
Keats was not only a humanist
but in his own way someone who rebelled against the status quo.
Now, THAT might get young people's attention.