'As to the poetical Character itself.... it is not itself - it has no self - it is every thing and nothing - It has no character - it enjoys light and shade; it lives in gusto, be it foul or fair, high or low, rich or poor, mean or elevated - ...A Poet is the most unpoetical of any thing in existence; because he has no Identity - he is continually in for - and filling some other Body - The Sun, The Moon, The Sea and Men and Women who are creatures of impulse are poetical and have about them an unchangeable attribute - the poet has none; no identity'.... John Keats to Richard Woodhouse, 1818
If you're wondering why someone spent time and a bit of money to create / maintain this website, read on....
I created this website in the summer of 1997. At the time, there were no websites about John Keats, at least none that had a wide variety of information (images, critical opinion, etc) I wanted to pay electronic tribute to my favorite poet, - say 'Thank you, John Keats, for sharing your gift with the rest of us.' I also wanted to provide information for fellow admirers and students. Seven years later, there are a few more sites about Keats and I'm still here, older, hopefully a bit wiser, and still reading Keats and adding to this website. For Keats enthusiasts, the internet c2004 is a great place. You can explore this site - and then you can go to Thilo's site and listen to Keats's poetry and chat on bulletin boards - and then you can visit Bartleby.com and read all of Keats's poetry - and then you can visit the British Library's Keats exhibit - the list goes on. I think it's wonderful that so many people from around the world have worked so hard - and all in the name of John Keats, a poet who died at the age of twenty-five, virtually unknown.
September 2004
When I first posted this page, it had a very long and rambling discussion of Keats's life and work. I decided to delete it because it doesn't really matter. I read Keats because the English language, capable of such rigor and subtlety, becomes a work of art in his hands. And that is why you should read him, too.
If you're not interested in poetry, then nothing that I, a stranger via the internet, write will change your mind. I'll feel sorry for you - because, really, reading a great poem is one of the best experiences a person can have and if you miss out....
But that's your choice.
The thing is - Keats doesn't need me to be his cheerleader. No poet needs a cheerleader. Their work speaks for itself. If you do nothing else at this website, I hope you give a few of his poems a chance to speak to you. And if you really want to treat yourself, read a selection of his letters, too.
If not, - then click away. Get out of here. And if you ever change your mind, Keats (and this website) will be waiting for you.
-Marilee