Isabella; or, The Pot of Basil: Quotes (pt. 2)

?
  • Created by: mhannah
  • Created on: 23-04-18 23:42
View mindmap
  • Isabella; or, The Pot of Basil: Quotes (pt. 2)
  • "enriched from ancestral merchandise"
    • description of the brother's and their materialistic goods that make them rich; this is old money
  • "weary hand did swelt"
    • exploitative business of the brothers
      • "torched mines"
      • "noisy factories"
      • "stinging whip"
  • "hungry shark"
    • cold moral nature of the brothers; they are quite predatory like in their business and authority
      • "cold ice"
      • "sharp racks to pinch and peel"
  • "negative pride"
    • Keats presents the brothers quite negatively, pridefully and as deceiving characters
      • "gainful cowardice"
  • "downy nest"
    • Isabella's "downy nest" paints her as a victim
  • "money-bags"
    • further description of the brothers; they are defined by the things that they value
  • "the tale shall move on soberly"
    • negative foreshadowing by Keats in the aside to Boccaccio's story
  • "some high noble and his olive-trees"
    • plan of the brothers to marry Isabella off to a noble (rich man); olive trees are a symbol of peace or victory, historically won by brides or virgins
  • "men of cruel clay"
    • further negative of description of the brothers
  • "his dewy rosary"
    • prayer beads in Catholicism; in Keats' poetry, the presence of prayer beads signifies death (e.g. Beadsman)
  • "serpents' whine"
    • further negative description of the brothers; these are especially animalistic
      • "huntsman's dress"
  • "murdered man"
    • has not been killed at this point but referring to him as dead demonstrates the inevitability of his death
    • alliteration reinforces/emphasises the fact that Lorenzo is now dead or is as good as dead
  • "sick and wan"
    • brothers' appearance
  • "blood-hounds"
    • brothers are once again described using animalistic imagery
  • "put on thy stifling widow's weed"
    • Isabella felt a matrimonial love for Lorenzo although they were never married; this grief stifles her
  • Stanza 14-30

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar English Literature resources:

See all English Literature resources »See all John Keats resources »