Acrostic by John Keats (1816)
The poem is a heartfelt tribute to a sister, expressing deep affection and admiration. The speaker seeks to immortalize her name through art, suggesting that the act of creation is a sacred endeavor. The speaker invokes the muse, Apollo, to inspire a profound love for both the sister and poetry itself. The work reflects on the nature of mastery in poetry, asserting that true greatness lies in nurturing love and brotherhood rather than mere technical skill. The speaker contrasts the lofty themes of classical literature, such as the struggles of Ulysses and the tragic elements of Othello, with the personal and intimate connection shared with the sister. The poem emphasizes the emotional resonance of familial bonds, suggesting that the act of dedicating verses to a loved one elevates the work to a higher plane. The speaker hopes that the tribute will bring joy and fulfillment to the sister, wishing for her a life filled with happiness, family, and love. Overall, the piece intertwines themes of creativity, familial love, and the transcendent power of poetry, positioning the sister as both muse and recipient of the speaker's artistic devotion.
By John Keats · First published 1816 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Lyric · 236 words
First lines
Georgiana Augusta Keats Give me your patience, sister, while I frame Exact in capitals your golden name; Or sue the fair Apollo and he will Rouse from his heavy slumber and instill Great love in me for thee and Poesy.
Imagine not that greatest mastery And kingdom over all the Realms of verse, Nears more to heaven in aught, than when we nurse And surety give to love and Brotherhood.
Anthropophagi in Othello's mood; Ulysses storm'd and his enchanted belt Glow with the Muse, but they are never felt Unbosom'd so and so eternal made, Such tender incense in their laurel shade To all the regent sisters of the Nine As this poor offering to you, sister mine.
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Acrostic is listed on Textopian as a poem by John Keats, dated 1816 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: John Keats
- Date: 1816 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romanticism, Lyric, Elegy, Epistolary
- Length: 236 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse and employs poetic devices, reflecting themes of love and brotherhood.
- Romanticism — The themes of love, nature, and personal emotion align with the Romantic movement's focus on individual experience and sentiment.
- Lyric — The poem expresses personal feelings and thoughts, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Elegy — The reflective tone and personal address suggest elements of elegiac poetry, though it is not mournful.
Tags
Poetry · Romanticism · Nature · Beauty · Imagination · Symbolism · Metaphor · Allegory · Acrostic Form · Literary Device · Language · Style