How has Keats changed your life?

[Manako]

I have a funny story (well, it seems funny now ) about "how has Keats changed my life". When we read "ode to a grecian urn", I found it...full of deep thoughts and beauty. I loved it, so I went on discussing it with my boyfriend. But while I was explaining it to him, he understood that I was talking about us, instead about the poem for it's own -I had no "metaphoric" meaning. When I reached the lines where Keats describes the lovers painted on the urn, that are forever happy immortalised in the moments before the kiss and could dream forever about that instant, he said "oh, so you prefer the time when you was dreaming about me than now that you got me", or something like that. He understood that I was regretting our relationship! The following day he left me
Thank you Keats!

But in fact, Keats made me definitely fall in love with poetry

[Saturn]

Sad story.

I hope you don't blame Keats though

[Manako]

Didn't you see I thank him for it?

[Malia]

Didn't you see I thank him for it?

Haha! That's great, Manako!!

[Credo Buffa]

So, you could say that Keats is a test of a good relationship. If you pass the test, you have Keats's approval!

[Saturn]

Well Keats has a lot to answer for I bet.

[Credo Buffa]

I've heard that people sometimes use Monty Python as a "test" for their significant others: if the other doesn't laugh, then things aren't looking too good, but if he/she does laugh, then there's definite potential.

Perhaps Keats could be used in the same way. . . Say, if I'm trying to decide if the guy I'm with is really worth my time and effort, I could analyze his interpretation of Keats. Although, I suppose if he made any attempt to read his work at all as a favor for me, I'd have to give him a chance, wouldn't I? Most guys I've met would run away, probably.

[Saturn]

Probably - but you should know by now Credo that poetry, and kind of serious literature is a minority interest so using Keats as a litmus test is perhaps a bit harsh

[Manako]

Not many people can pass a Keats test...but if he or she passes, it would really mean something!

[Saturn]

Shall we devise a Keats test

[greymouse]

Shall we devise a Keats test

I think it's a great idea. Well, I picture something like a typical online quiz with 10 or 20 questions. It would be hard to make though; I sure wouldn't be of any help since I'm not as Keats savvy as some of the members here.

[Malia]

Shall we devise a Keats test

I'm game for the game!

[dks]

DO IT!!

Don't double-dog dare me to take the Keats quiz!!



Seriously, I suppose we could all contribute?

[SnuggleKeats]

I've always loved poetry and have written it for years, but as Oscar Wilde was my favorite, whatever I wrote that was influenced by him wasn't that great. (His prose is godly - his poetry, less than divine.) But as soon as I fell in love with Keats, my words just sort of fall perfectly into place and I owe it to feeling so influenced by him. He's definitely wakened the actual talent behind my creativity, and for that I'm eternally grateful.

[Saturn]

Wilde, as you are I'm sure aware was enthralled by Keats, and in many respects his poetry was influenced by him a lot.