Monday, February 15, 2010

Bright Star





"A thing of beauty is a joy for ever:
Its loveliness increases; it will never
Pass into nothingness; . . . "

wrote John Keats in "Endymion" at the age of 23. He described both the grandeur of nature and the despondency of gloomy days.



"Beauty is truth, truth beauty, that is all
Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know."

Beauty is once again the inspiration for Keats in his "Ode on a Grecian Urn" written in 1819.




"Bright star, would I were steadfast as thou art--
Not in lone splendour hung aloft the night
And watching, with eternal lids apart, . . .
The moving waters at their priestlike task
Of pure ablution round earth's human shores, . . . "

Keats wrote "Bright Star" for his young love, Fanny Brawne. This is also the name and subject of the movie directed by Jane Campion. Living and loving life while desperately ill and poverty-stricken probably contributed to the depth of his writing and upheavals in his relationship with Fanny.





The movie bravely follows Keats to Italy and his subsequent death of tuberculosis in 1821. Percy Bysshe Shelley drowned while sailing a year later and is buried near Keats. You can still visit the studio of Keats in Rome at the top of the Spanish Steps.

14 comments:

  1. I'm putting this movie at the top of my queue.

    Thanks, Margaret!

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  2. :)
    It's very true that beauty never passes to nothingness! Nature is our fine example. Sure, it peaks, wilts and dies...but it also lives again. Beautiful post Margaret!

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  3. That looks like a good one to me. I love masterpiece theatre. I had to go to my dashboard to find you today. (No pressure) But you're not following me anymore. That makes me want to write a sad poem. Alas bygone blog followers. Be you not with me today. To be or not to be...or something like that!

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  4. Hi Dan! I liked it, but I wish they could have incorporated more of his poetry. . . maybe doesn't translate well to film. . . Best, Margaret

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    Well said, Rain! That's exactly what he was trying to say. Love, me xx

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    Hi Sharon! It does make you think of masterpiece theatre! I liked it! (Plus it has the cutest kitten in it!) I had to take all my followees off temporarily to try to start a literary blog. You're all back on now! I would never say be gone to you! Love, me xx

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  5. Hi Margaret,
    This movie sounds like one for me. I haven't read much poetry but what I read in your post was all familiar to me. His words were very beautiful. Love Di

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  6. I have never heard about this movie but it seems to be very interesting. I`ll keep my eyes open next time I visit a video store.

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  7. Hi Diana~ Yes, these lines are immortal. So sad he died at 25 with a great writing career ahead of him. It's a beautiful movie. xx

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    Hi Gry~ I ope you get to see it. Let me know what you think. xx

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  8. hello margaret
    un petit coucou de france !
    je t'ai vue chez lydia et me suis rappelée à toi :-)
    belle journée et j'espère que tout va bien pour toi

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  9. Salut Karine~ Je suis ravie que tu as pense a moi! Je passerai chez toi a tout a l'heure. Amities, Margaret

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  10. je t'en prie, ravie de te "revoir" enfin !
    j'espère que tout va bien pour toi
    très belle journée
    kisses xxx

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  11. Salut Karine~ C'est ton fils en bleu? Il est vraiment mignon. J'adore ton blog. Bon weekend! Bises.

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    Hi Phivos! It's a good movie but not enough poetry!
    Your mardi gras was fabulous. I guess we have to go to New Orleans here for something similar. Best, Margaret

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  12. Thank a lot Margaret for your sweet words. I need your e-mail address please.

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  13. Hello Margaret, Thank you for your comments on my (so called novelette). Don't know where it's taking me but I'm going sloooowly. You and I may be the only ones involved in it. Me as the writer and you as the reader. Ha! Love to hear from you!!!! lol, Shelia

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