Poem Analysis - This Mortal Body Of A Thousand Days

Introduction: An Intoxicated Homage

John Keats' "This Mortal Body Of A Thousand Days" is a passionate and somewhat unsteady tribute to the Scottish poet Robert Burns. The poem begins with a sense of mortality and then shifts into an almost celebratory, albeit slightly melancholic, remembrance fueled by alcohol and admiration. The tone vacillates between a recognition of life's brevity and an attempt to transcend it through connection with a past literary giant. Ultimately, the poem feels like a personal and heartfelt, if slightly inebriated, toast to a literary predecessor.

Echoes of Burns: Literary Pilgrimage and Inspiration

The poem is directly inspired by Robert Burns, whose room Keats is visiting. Keats's use of the word "Burns" as direct address immediately sets the scene and context for the poem. Burns, a significant figure in Scottish literature, provides a focal point for Keats' meditation on mortality and artistic legacy. The reference to "thine old barley-bree" (barley brew, or beer) emphasizes the celebratory, and perhaps slightly unrestrained, nature of Keats's homage. Keats acknowledges and embraces the creative spirit that once filled the very space he now occupies.

The Fleeting Nature of Life and Fame

One of the central themes of the poem is mortality, introduced immediately with the phrase "This mortal body of a thousand days." This opening line establishes a somber awareness of the transient nature of human existence. However, the poem doesn't dwell solely on despair. It explores the quest for enduring fame as a way to overcome mortality. Keats finds solace in the fact that even though Burns is gone, his name and work live on, evidenced by Keats's own pilgrimage and his enthusiastic "gulp[ing] a bumper to thy name." The concluding lines, "O smile among the shades, for this is fame!" suggest that lasting recognition can provide a form of immortality. A final prominent theme is artistic inspiration and inheritance; it showcases how poets look towards and build off of the greats that came before them.

Intoxication: Literal and Figurative

The poem uses the imagery of intoxication to represent a state of heightened emotion and connection to Burns. The lines "My pulse is warm with thine old barley-bree, / My head is light with pledging a great soul," suggest both literal drunkenness and a feeling of being overwhelmed by Burns's genius. The phrase "Fancy is dead and drunken at its goal" is particularly striking. It implies that the imaginative faculty, usually a source of creativity, is exhausted or overwhelmed by the experience. Is this a sign that Keats is creatively blocked, or is it the temporary effect of a deep emotional experience and a few too many toasts? The image is ambiguous and invites interpretation.

Connecting Through Place and Memory

The act of being physically present in Burns's space allows Keats to connect with the past in a tangible way. He can "stamp my foot upon thy floor," "ope thy window-sash," and "find the meadow thou hast tramped o’er and o’er." These actions are more than just observation; they are attempts to physically embody and understand Burns's experiences. The repeated use of "Yet can I" suggests a defiant assertion of his ability to connect, despite the overwhelming sense of mortality and the potential for creative paralysis. It also reinforces the idea that memory and place can transcend time.

Conclusion: A Toast Across Time

"This Mortal Body Of A Thousand Days" is a multifaceted poem that blends themes of mortality, fame, and artistic inspiration. Keats, through his visit to Burns's room and a spirited indulgence in "barley-bree," attempts to bridge the gap between the present and the past. While acknowledging the transience of life, he finds a measure of comfort in the enduring legacy of great artists like Burns. The poem ultimately serves as a toast across time, celebrating the power of art to transcend death and connect generations of creative souls.