Keats1887

The life of John Keats reveals valuable insights into the poet’s work. Before his tragic death at the age of 25, Keats’ ever-changing conception of the world helped spur his desire to create poetry. The death of both of his parents while he was still a child, combined with his experiences working at Guy’s Hospital in London, deepened Keats’ sense of the tragic nature of life—a theme that would later reveal itself in his writing. It was also during his time at Guy’s that Keats wrote one of his most important works, “On First Looking into Chapman’s Homer.” As he gradually became acquainted with fellow poets and authors, Keats decided that his life's calling was to be a poet rather than a doctor. His move to Wentworth Place in 1819 marked the beginning of his most productive creative period. This highpoint of Keats’ life would soon be followed by more tragedy as he became seriously ill with tuberculosis. This disease eventually led to his death in 1821.