Wai Hing Leung

“Bright Star” by John Keats

I think the image of this poem is describing how lovers would support each other when one is sick. After reading line 12 “awake forever in a sweet unrest,” I feel the author is expressing his worry. He always worries about losing his lover when he wakes up. I think that is why he wrote awake in “unrest.”  I’m guessing that his lover is sick and near death.   When he finds out that she is still alive when he wakes up, he feels sweet and joy. I think that is why he awake in “sweet unrest.”

From the end of the poem “still, still to hear her tender-taken breath, and so live ever-or else swoon to death.” I feel it is telling his lover is still living, because he always stays next to her. He gives her the encouragement to continue living. Otherwise, she would be dead already. To me, this sounds like the power of love can make a person to be strong.  Also, the love between the lovers is a reason for a person who is sick and living in a hospital to continue her lives.

I think the reason why he chose stars because it is like reflecting the position he is being. From line 1 to line 4, Keats wrote, “Bright star, would I were steadfast as thou art- not in lone  splendor hung aloft the night, and watching, with eternal lids apart, like nature’s patient, sleepless Eremite.”  I think he is telling the star would always “do their job” to shine at night and they are like a person that does not need any sleep at night. He is acting like those bright stars.  He is like a star that does not sleep at night and shines on his lover every night.