Sonnet to Chatterton
Sonnet to Chatterton - context Summary
Tribute After Chatterton's Death
Keats wrote this sonnet in 1815 (published 1817) as a direct tribute to the tragic young poet Thomas Chatterton. The poem mourns Chatterton’s early death and unrecognized genius, contrasting the cold ingratitude of earthly critics with a celestial afterlife where his song endures. Keats identifies with Chatterton’s struggles, elevating him from mortal neglect to immortal praise and framing the loss as both personal and emblematic of mistreated talent.
Read Complete AnalysesO Chatterton! how very sad thy fate! Dear child of sorrow – son of misery! How soon the film of death obscur’d that eye, Whence Genius mildly flash’d, and high debate. How soon that voice, majestic and elate, Melted in dying numbers! Oh! how nigh Was night to thy fair morning. Thou didst die A half-blown flow’ret which cold blasts amate. But this is past: thou art among the stars Of highest Heaven: to the rolling spheres Thou sweetly singest: naught thy hymning mars, Above the ingrate world and human fears. On earth the good man base detraction bars From thy fair name, and waters it with tears.
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