SOURCE: "The Apprenticeship: The Early Sonnets," in The Stylistic Development of Keats, The Humanities Press, 1958, pp. 1-19.

In the following excerpt, originally published in 1945, Bate analyzes the style and structure of Keats's early poetry, particularly the sonnets. Bate explores the influence of Leigh Hunt, most notably in Keats's word and image choices, and in Keats's use of the caesura and metrical variations.

"So this Poem must rather be considered as an endeavour than a thing accomplish'd: a poor prologue to what, if I live, I humbly hope to do."

—From the rejected Preface to Endymion.

Few poets have elicited more analysis and discussion since the close of the last century than has Keats. His poetry, with the aid of his letters, has been studied from almost all angles; it has been re-interpreted biographically and philosophically, and has been placed more clearly in its contemporary setting. There has been...