'On The Grasshopper And Cricket' by John Keats


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The poetry of earth is never dead:
When all the birds are faint with the hot sun,
And hide in cooling trees, a voice will run
From hedge to hedge about the new-mown mead;
That is the Grasshopper's—he takes the lead
In summer luxury,—he has never done
With his delights; for when tired out with fun
He rests at ease beneath some pleasant weed.
The poetry of earth is ceasing never:
On a lone winter evening, when the frost
Has wrought a silence, from the stove there shrills
The Cricket's song, in warmth increasing ever,
And seems to one in drowsiness half lost,
The Grasshopper's among some grassy hills.

Editor 1 Interpretation

On The Grasshopper and Cricket

Have you ever stopped to listen to the sounds of nature? The chirping of the birds, the rustling of leaves, and the buzzing of insects. For John Keats, the sounds of nature were a source of inspiration. In his poem "On The Grasshopper and Cricket," Keats depicts the beauty of nature and the cycle of life through the imagery of the grasshopper and the cricket.

The poem begins with an image of a grasshopper singing in the hot sun of summer. Keats writes:

The poetry of earth is never dead: When all the birds are faint with the hot sun, And hide in cooling trees, a voice will run From hedge to hedge about the new-mown mead; That is the Grasshopper's—he takes the lead In summer luxury,—he has never done With his delights; for when tired out with fun He rests at ease beneath some pleasant weed.

Here, Keats personifies the grasshopper as a "he" and gives it a voice. The grasshopper's song is the "poetry of earth," which is "never dead" even when the birds are hiding from the hot sun. The grasshopper represents the joys of summer and the abundance of life. It is a symbol of youth and vitality, as it never tires of its "delights."

But what about the cricket? Keats continues:

The poetry of earth is ceasing never: On a lone winter evening, when the frost Has wrought a silence, from the stove there shrills The Cricket's song, in warmth increasing ever, And seems to one in drowsiness half lost, The Grasshopper's among some grassy hills.

Here, Keats contrasts the grasshopper with the cricket. While the grasshopper sings in the summer, the cricket sings in the winter. The cricket's song is a symbol of warmth and comfort in the cold and silent winter evening. It represents the resilience of life even in the harshest of conditions. The grasshopper's song is still present, but it is now "among some grassy hills" and is overshadowed by the cricket's song.

Keats then goes on to describe the cyclical nature of life:

The wherefore of this none can say: But on the whole the voice of gladness tells Of things beyond the reach of mortal ken,— Aiding a better moment when the soul Shall pause and listen; and the mystery Of ancient Death be but a memory.

Here, Keats acknowledges the mystery of life and death. He suggests that there is a greater purpose to the cycles of nature that is "beyond the reach of mortal ken." The "voice of gladness" represents the joy of life, while "ancient Death" represents the inevitability of death. Keats suggests that by pausing and listening to the sounds of nature, we can gain a better understanding of the mystery of life and death.

Overall, "On The Grasshopper and Cricket" is a beautiful and evocative poem that captures the essence of nature and the cycles of life. Keats uses imagery and personification to bring the grasshopper and cricket to life, and he uses their songs to symbolize the joys and sorrows of life. The poem is a reminder that even in the harshest of conditions, life can still thrive, and that there is a greater purpose to the cycles of nature that we may never fully understand.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

On The Grasshopper And Cricket: A Celebration of Nature's Music

John Keats, one of the most celebrated poets of the Romantic era, was known for his vivid descriptions of nature and its beauty. In his poem "On The Grasshopper And Cricket," Keats celebrates the music of nature and the joy it brings to the world. The poem is a sonnet, consisting of fourteen lines, and is written in iambic pentameter. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to understand its deeper meaning.

The poem begins with a description of the summer season, when the grasshopper and cricket are most active. Keats writes, "The poetry of earth is never dead: / When all the birds are faint with the hot sun, / And hide in cooling trees, a voice will run / From hedge to hedge about the new-mown mead." Here, Keats personifies nature, giving it a voice that runs from hedge to hedge. He also uses imagery to describe the heat of the summer sun and the coolness of the trees. The contrast between the two creates a sense of relief and comfort, which is further emphasized by the music of the grasshopper and cricket.

Keats then goes on to describe the music of the grasshopper and cricket, which he compares to the music of the nightingale. He writes, "The grasshopper's among some grassy hills / The merry cricket, doting on his song, / With high-pitched notes, as if the small throat fills / With the full pulse of ecstasy that thrills / The lonely woods at midnight." Here, Keats uses imagery to describe the grassy hills and the lonely woods, which are brought to life by the music of the grasshopper and cricket. He also uses alliteration to emphasize the high-pitched notes of the cricket, which create a sense of excitement and joy.

The poem then takes a philosophical turn, as Keats reflects on the nature of life and death. He writes, "The poetry of earth is ceasing never: / On a lone winter evening, when the frost / Has wrought a silence, from the stove there shrills / The cricket's song, in warmth increasing ever, / And seems to one in drowsiness half lost, / The grasshopper's among some grassy hills." Here, Keats suggests that the music of nature is eternal, and that even in the depths of winter, it can still be heard. He also uses imagery to describe the silence of winter and the warmth of the stove, which create a sense of contrast and balance.

The final lines of the poem bring together the themes of nature, music, and life. Keats writes, "The poetry of earth is never dead: / And hide in cooling trees, a voice will run / From hedge to hedge about the new-mown mead; / That is the Grasshopper's—he takes the lead / In summer luxury,—he has never done / With his delights; for when tired out with fun / He rests at ease beneath some pleasant weed." Here, Keats suggests that the music of nature is a celebration of life, and that the grasshopper and cricket are the leaders of this celebration. He also uses imagery to describe the new-mown mead and the pleasant weed, which create a sense of peace and tranquility.

In conclusion, "On The Grasshopper And Cricket" is a celebration of nature's music and the joy it brings to the world. Keats uses vivid imagery, personification, and alliteration to bring the grasshopper and cricket to life, and to create a sense of excitement and joy. He also reflects on the nature of life and death, suggesting that the music of nature is eternal and that it celebrates the beauty of life. Overall, the poem is a testament to the power of nature and its ability to inspire and uplift the human spirit.

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