A thing of beauty | John Keats | Summary

 A thing of beauty is a joy forever:
Its loveliness increases; it will never
Pass into nothingness; but will keep
A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.

Keats starts his poem by asserting that beauty is an everlasting source of joy. He goes on to suggest that the loveliness of a beautiful object does not diminish over time; rather, it only intensifies. The poet likens a thing of beauty to a sheltering bower, providing a serene and tranquil sleep filled with sweet dreams and peaceful breathing.

Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing

A flowery band to bind us to the earth,

Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth

Of noble natures, of the gloomy days,

Of all the unhealthy and o'er-darkened ways

Made for our searching: yes, in spite of all,

Some shape of beauty moves away the pall

From our dark spirits.

The poet asserts that the absence of natural beauty would render the earth a despondent place and leave us mired in perpetual misery. Life often presents us with countless challenges that cast a shadow of darkness over our existence. In such times of desolation, the beauty of the natural world serves as a beacon of hope and brings light into our lives. This beauty is what illuminates our dark spirits and provides a source of solace amidst the gloom. We celebrate this beauty by crafting wreaths from flowers and leaves that fill us with joy and keep us grounded to the earth, even after experiencing the difficulties of life.

Such the sun, the moon,

Trees old and young, sprouting a shady boon

For simple sheep; and such are daffodils

With the green world they live in; and clear rills

That for themselves a cooling covert make

'Gainst the hot season; the mid forest brake.

The poet talks about beautiful things in nature, like the sun, moon, trees, daffodils, and clear streams of water. These things make us feel comfortable and cool during hot summers. The poet believes that humans and all living things are lucky to have these natural gifts, so we should be grateful for them. The poet compares humans to innocent sheep who also find comfort in nature when they're in trouble.

Rich with a sprinkling of fair musk-rose blooms:

And such too is the grandeur of the dooms

All lovely tales that we have heard or read:

We have imagined for the mighty dead; An endless fountain of immortal drink,

Pouring unto us from the heaven's brink.

The poet talks about the beauty of other natural things, like roses that smell nice and forests with lots of flowers. He also thinks that the stories of people who died for others are beautiful. The poet is really good at writing, and at the end of the poem, he says that if people look around them, they will see that there are lots of good things in the world, like a never-ending fountain of blessings from heaven.