DEVELOPMENT OF THOUGHT IN JOHN KEATS’ SERIES OF ODES

Much has been researched and written on one of the most renowned Romantic poets, John Keats'individual odes in his series of six odes. It is also significant to dwell on the gradual development in the thought process of the poet which is evident as one journeys chronologically along the odes. The paper postulates that John Keats has matured in terms of calmly accepting things as they are, in a state of confusion and uncertainty, by the time he writes the last in this series ‘Ode to Autumn. 'From the subjective poet persona who chases after answers, he evolves as an objective being admiring the beauty of state of things. His deep sense of individuality is discernible in his previous odes, whereas, towards the last ones, he has happily negated himself, quite like many other great literary figures of the likes of William Shakespeare. From a state of flux arises tranquility. Had it not been for the testing times and a restless quest for truth, peace would never have perched upon the poet.