Close reading John Keats

John Keats (1795-1821)

‘Beauty is truth, truth beauty,—that is all
Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know.’

Keats, Ode on a Grecian Urn 

Join poet and academic Dr Mariah Whelan for a short close reading course focused on the poetry of John Keats, a poet loved and admired by generations of readers. Sundays, 16 and 23 November 2025, 14.00-16.00 pm British Time.

Keats published two volumes of poetry which are regarded as some of the greatest in the English language. His finest works include ‘Endymion’, ‘Bright Star’, ‘Ode on a Grecian Urn’, ‘Ode to a Nightingale’ and ‘To Autumn’. Keats died of tuberculosis at the age of 25, but the poetry he wrote in his short life had a profound influence on many poets that came afterwards.

In these two-hour sessions we will analyse and discuss together a number of poems including selections from Keats’ odes, sonnets and longer poems. Dr Whelan will guide students in an exploration of how a poem’s formal features – such as rhyme, rhythm, imagery and language – all contribute to its meaning.  

A must for those who love the poetry of Keats and want to enhance their enjoyment through thoughtful reading and discussion. No prior experience of close reading is needed for this course.  

Course fees (prices include 20% VAT)

£86.00 Full price
£80.00 CAMcard holders
£80.00 Students on a low income

To book, click on the image below. 

Links

• BBC short biography of Keats
• Poetry Foundation on Keats’s life and work

John Keats
This living hand, now warm and capable

This living hand, now warm and capable 
Of earnest grasping, would, if it were cold 
And in the icy silence of the tomb, 
So haunt thy days and chill thy dreaming nights 
That thou would wish thine own heart dry of blood 
So in my veins red life might stream again, 
And thou be conscience-calm’d–see here it is– 
I hold it towards you. 

Click on the image below for booking page.