9. ‘La Belle Dame Sans Merci’ by John Keats
Bio of the Poet
- John Keats (1795–1821): A Romantic poet known for his sensual imagery, themes of beauty, love, death, and nature.
- Died young from tuberculosis, which influenced his preoccupation with mortality.
- This ballad draws on medieval and mythical traditions.
Detailed Summary
- A knight is found wandering, pale and forlorn.
- He tells of meeting a mysterious, beautiful woman—the “belle dame sans merci” (the beautiful lady without mercy).
- She enchants him with song and love, then disappears, leaving him abandoned.
- He dreams of other victims of hers—all dead and pale.
- The knight is left in a desolate, dreamlike world, eternally longing and lost.
Main Themes
- Love and Betrayal
- Death and Supernatural
- Obsession and Loss
- Romantic Idealism
Literary Analysis
- Form: Ballad (12 quatrains, ABCB rhyme scheme).
- Tone: Haunting, melancholic.
- Language:
- Archaic phrasing: suits the medieval atmosphere.
- Vivid imagery: “horrid warning gaped wide,” “lily on thy brow”.
- Archaic phrasing: suits the medieval atmosphere.
- Symbolism:
- The knight: doomed lover or victim of idealised love.
- The lady: femme fatale or allegory of unattainable desire.
- The knight: doomed lover or victim of idealised love.
Main Message
- Romantic idealism can lead to pain and disillusionment.
- Love, especially when idealised or one-sided, may be dangerous and destructive.
Expected Exam Questions
- How does Keats present love in ‘La Belle Dame Sans Merci’?
- Explore the theme of entrapment in the poem.
- How is the supernatural used to create a mood in the poem?
- Compare the presentation of love in this poem with another poem you have studied.