A Thing of Beauty is a poem written by the famous romantic poet, John Keats.

The poem tells about how nature and its wonder mesmerize us and take away all the sorrow that surrounds us from time to time. The following explanation might aid you in understanding this exceptional piece of work in poetry. Explanation A beautiful thing is a source of eternal joy, its attractiveness grows with the passage of time and its impact never fades away. It is as pleasant as a cool quiet bower or sound sleep with sweet dreams; or robust health and mental peace. It provides the beholder with a haven of tranquility and solace. It is the beauty of nature that keeps us attached to this earth. Every morning we collect fresh lovely flowers and prepare garlands. The fascination for flowers is our bonding with the earth. It helps us steer clear of despondency and disappointments. We forget all our despair, of acute shortage of noble souls, of misfortunes that overtake us to test our forbearance. Life is full of trials and tribulations and we often find ourselves in the midst of gloom. It is at such depressing moments that a sight full of beauty dispels the pall of sadness from our spirits making room for hope and optimism. The objects of beauty are countless. These include heavenly bodies like the sun and the moon, the old and young trees that provide cool shelter to sleep, the daffodil flowers encased in green leaves, the streams that flow through a shady passage which they make themselves with plants, and the bushes that bear fragnant flowers. These simple and even commonplace things lift the human spirit filling it with joy and delight. In addition to these objects of nature, there are wonderful tales of our legendary heroes, who lived and died heroically, which inspire us with their matchless beauty. These beautiful things are metaphorically an endless source of nectar that pours down to us from heaven bringing eternal joy for the souls grandeur. They are like an elixir of life, a never diminishing source of pleasure and delight, an endless fountain of joy that seems to be a precious gift from Heaven. ---------------------Summary A beautiful thing is happiness forever. Whatever happens, we cannot hate a really beautiful thing. Even when it fades, decays or dies, we love such things without any conditions. It will never be forgotten even after its death, a thousand or two thousands later. When we live surrounded by beautiful people, places and things, our minds will be refreshed and will have sweet dreams while sleeping. As a further result we will have good health and quiet breathing. A thing of beauty is a joy for ever Its loveliness increases, it will never pass into nothingness; But will keep a bower quiet for us, and a sleep full of sweet dreams, And health, and quiet breathing. How is a thing of beauty a joy forever? A thing is said to be a 'thing of beauty,' because it is a source of joy for ever. When we think of it we should be happy and in its absence too, it should fill our minds with divine memories of it. How does the loveliness of the beautiful thing increase? A really beautiful thing gives us such a happiness that will keep on increasing every day and will continue to be doing so for ever contrary to the ordinary things that give us happiness for some time and then disappears. How does a thing pass into 'nothingness?' A thing passes into nothingness when it dies and disappears from our memories. Such a thing is not a thing of beauty. What is a bower? How does the beautiful thing keep a bower quiet for us? A bower is a shady place under the huge branches of trees. A bower is always restless and noisy due to the wind that makes leaves rustle and birds to chirp. But there will be a sudden silence and stillness in a bower at the presence of a beautiful thing like a flower. How is the beautiful thing able to provide us with sweet dreams? What else does the beautiful thing provide us with? If we have the sweet memories of a beautiful thing, it will provide us with sweet dreams in sleep. It also gives us health and quiet breathing. Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing a flowery band to bind us to the earth. Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth of noble natures, of the gloomy days, Of all the unhealthy and over darkened ways made for our searching: Yes, in spite of all, some shape of beauty moves away the pall from our dark spirits.

Explanation: Imagine that someone took to the habit of taking drugs. It is said that one gets a pleasure by taking drugs. But soon he becomes an addict to it and won't be able to pass a day without drugs. The comfortable blanket that he was covered with the first time turns out to be a burden! He wants to stop taking drugs but cannot. The comfort has now become a misery for his dear ones and for him. The 'blanket' cannot be lifted from him by any power. It is at this time a beautiful thing, such as a loving smile, a loving touch, a loving care, etc., comes for his help. What does the poet mean by 'wreathing a flowery band?' Wreathing a flowery band refers to arranging flowers in a beautiful order. Here the poet refers to our habit of gathering all good hopes, dreams and aspirations for beginning a more successful life each day. Why do we need to 'wreathe a flowery band every morning? Wreathing flowery band is symbolic of gathering all good hopes every morning to begin a happy day. It is very necessary for all human beings to wreathe a flowery band every morning to love life in spite of all the sufferings and pains of life around. What is the 'spite of despondence?' Spite of despondence is a state of our minds filled with ill-will and hatred for others due to profound hopeless and gloom. How does the 'dearth of noble natures' occur in our lives? With the passage of time we generally ignore the great values and moralities taught by our ancestors. It happens due to our tendency to embark the lighter ways and easier rules in the society. How do days become 'gloomy?' Days become gloomy when hopelessness fills our lives. Why do people take the 'unhealthy and over darkened ways for happiness? Do they find happiness there? Explain. The pleasure that one gets from bad means appears to be sweeter than those that come from good means. Even though they find happiness there, such happiness will not last. After providing a time of excitement and pleasure, this sort of happiness turns sour and misery. What is the 'pall' that covers our spirits? How does it fall on our spirits? The pall that covers our spirit is a blanket of comfort that we get from wrong means. It falls on us when we allow ourselves to enjoy evil pleasures. What can remove the 'pall' from our dark spirits?' How? Only beautiful things can remove the pall from our dark spirits. What makes human beings love life in spite of troubles and ordeals? The presence of beautiful things in the world gives human beings an urge to live longer. Such (as) the sun, the moon, trees old and young, Sprouting a shady boon for simple sheep; And such are daffodils with the green world they live in; and the clear rills That for themselves a cooling covert make against the hot season; The mid forest brake, rich with a sprinkling of musk rose blooms; How are the sun and moon beautiful things? The sun and moon are beautiful because they are source of life and endless joy for everyone. How is 'tree' a perfect example for a beautiful thing in its greatness by providing shade to the simple sheep? The tree bears the heat of the sun to give shade and cool for anyone who seeks shade and rest under its branches. Its greatness is a degree greater because it gives shade not only for the mighty ones, but also for the simplest of the animals such as sheep. How are the daffodils beautiful things? Daffodils are beautiful for the charm and fragrance that they spread in the garden where they live. What are clear rills? What act of the rill makes it a beautiful thing? Clear rills are beautiful, clean rivers. They flow through all kinds of lands, selflessly sharing their water with all the trees and animals on their way, making them rich and grow. How is the 'mid forest brake' made rich? The mid forest is made rich with the fragrance of the musk rose. What act of the 'musk rose' makes it beautiful? The musk rose grows and blooms along with ferns. The humility of the great musk rose to grow with the dull fern makes it beautiful. Moreover, it spreads its fragrance far away and makes the nature more beautiful and sweet. The musk rose' readiness to share its goodness with the rest of the world makes it rich. And such too is the grandeur of the dooms We have imagined for the mighty dead; All lovely tales that we have heard or read; An endless fountain of immortal drink, Pouring unto us from the heavens brink.

What is the 'grandeur of the dooms of the great people?' How does the poet compare this 'grandeur' with that of the beautiful things? The greatness with which the great people die is the 'grandeur of the dooms of the mighty dead.' The poet compares this greatness with that of the beautiful things on account of the fact that the great people die for giving happiness to the rest of the world. Who are the mighty dead? Why are they called so? How are they beautiful? The mighty dead are the great people who have sacrificed their lives for the humanity by struggling and dying for others. They are called so because they were selfless and provided happiness for the others. They were mighty because it is more difficult to die for others than living for oneself. They are equally beautiful as they suffered for other people like the daffodils and trees, they provided happiness to others like the clear rills and they burnt for others like the sun. Which 'tales' does the poet here refer to? Why are they lovely? The poet refers to the really beautiful stories that we have either heard or read. These tales are beautiful because they can leave an indelible happiness in us and each time we recall these stories, we feel our burdens lifted, mind refreshed and life moving happily in spite of all disturbances. How are the 'lovely tales' 'fountain of immortal drink? A fountain of immortal drink gives us immortality. Similarly, reading and listening to really beautiful tales fill our minds with joy beyond description. -----------------------------------