Writing Assignments

The heavens have always fascinated men and women. References to stars in particular are numerous, ranging from many of the constellations named and studied by the ancient Greeks to lullabies like “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.” Both John Keats’ poem “Bright Star” and Robert Frost’s “Choose Something Like a Star” address the nature of a star. Yet while Keats’ poem is a passionate ode to the star, Frost’s poem is a more satirical and, at the same time, grudgingly respectful treatment of this star.

Keats’ poem begins with an exclamation (Bright Star!) a first indication of his passion and excitement. He continues to describe the star in terms of divinity and immortality with phrases like “with eternal lids apart” and “priest-like task.” He sees the star as a sort of heavenly eye, gazing toward the earth. He also admires and envies the star for its immortality and steadfastness, for the speaker wishes the too, could exist forever “pillowed upon my fair love’s ripening breast.” Perhaps his love has died and is in heaven – “awake forever in a sweet unrest—and he wishes that he too, could forever be with his love in the sky. The romantic and wholeheartedly passionate nature of the poem is shown in the extremity of the last line: And so live ever – or else swoon to death.

On the other hand, Frost’s poem is almost a satire of Keats’ romantic and mystical treatment of a star. He, too, begins his poem with an exclamation, yet immediately shows irony with “the fairest one in sight.” He goes on to say that yes, a star must be granted some degree of obscurity and divinity, but why all the mystery an aloofness? Unlike Yeats’ devotional praise of the star’s mystique, Frost desires more concrete behavior. He wishes to know the star in technical terms—and here he is poking some fun at the romantic attitudes of writers like Yeats who sees the heavens as “moving waters . . . of pure ablution round earth’s human shores.” Yet, Frost really does admire the star for its steadiness and complacency. The last lines (of each poem) exemplifies the difference between Keats’ attitude and Frost’s; while Keats feels the star is a divine romantic being which lends itself to grand, romantic subjects (like swooning to death from love), Frost sees the inherent steadiness of a star as something we could reach for and emulate.