The verbs on lines 5-8 are very lush and healthy; this is unusual as it goes against the conventional ideas of autumn as the beginning of death and hibernation. Already Keats mentions summer as if nature is looking forward.
In line 11 the author uses the word “ o’er”, this creates a very softer run of words in much the same way as the enjambment and the iambic pentameter. This helps the sentence to have a more manageable number of syllables. This could also be a reflection of the context in which it was written as it suggests a more classical, antiquated use of language that was popular at the time.
The theme in the second stanza is more drowsy, it concentrates on the image of animals and nature in general settling down and preparing for winter. This depiction of sleep and hibernation is shown in the adjectives:
“ Careless…drowsed…oozings”. This is reinforced by the use of enjambment in lines 13-14 as the words stream into each other as if lazy.
What becomes very obvious in this stanza is that after the subtle use of classical language in the first stanza it takes a more major role in this stanza. Infact it is nearly all in that style. This use of classical language paints a picture of a goddess at one with nature. This stanza has a very relaxed atmosphere as Keats describes the goddess crushing apples and her hair blowing gently on a breeze. This is a metaphor, as Keats portrays autumn as the beautiful goddess suggesting a close link with nature. The image of a goddess portrays creativity and shows Keats awe at the power of nature.
“Half reaped…” this emphasises the languid atmosphere of the stanza. Keats refers to flowers in line 18; this is odd as one wouldn’t normally associate with autumn. This is something that is maintained throughout the poem; Keats breaks the stereotypical or clichéd picture of spring and brings in a new suggestion that in fact autumn is far more romantic and important.
”Thy hair soft lifted by the winnowing wind”
This use of language creates a rather humble and peaceful atmosphere for the reader. It emphasises the harmony of autumn and this effect, which is used often throughout the poem, could also be a metaphor for the slow down of life during autumn, and the imminent death of the season.
“Sometimes” is repeated in the stanza, this creates a sense of leisure and contentment.
The third stanza reiterates the idea that spring is not so important
“Where are the songs of spring?”
The mood of the poem changes in this verse, before it was much more positive but Keats uses adjectives such as “Soft-dying…wailful…mourn…dies…”
This brings in a more sombre theme, although the words Keats uses resemble that of a song in which animals make the music:
“Choir…hum…sing…whistles…”
It is as if the whole of nature knows that winter is coming and are mourning the loss. The imagery is very strong here in order to build up a picture in the reader’s mind of nature at peace and looking forward.
Keats uses a large amount of personification in this verse to convey nature and the animals mentioned as human; this helps to define the characteristics and enables the reader to identify with the emotion of the animals.
“ Touch…lives or dies…the river sallows…” The personification that Keats uses for the clouds “touch” is very good as it creates a sense of acuteness adding a new dimension. This juxtaposition of clouds, which are often associated with softness and delicacy, with the harsh description of “stubble plains” causes a greater contrast between the two descriptions.
In conclusion, John Keats, as a member of the Romantic Movement, viewed nature in a positive light. This is demonstrated throughout the poem by a number of positive metaphors and similes for nature. The most obvious metaphor being that of the goddess in stanza two who enjoys the changing season to such an extent it is compared to being under the influence of opium. However this positivity is not carried into the last stanza as Keats also views autumn as a time of decay as well as fruition. Keats writes that “small gnats mourn”, while gnats only represent an almost insignificant aspect of nature, they could be said to represent much of nature which dies in autumn. He almost disguises this negativity by countering with positive imagery of how the “swallows twitter”.
Keats maintains the same rhyme system throughout the poem to emphasise the rhythm of nature. It has a very natural flow to it because it is written using iambic pentameter and enjambment echoing the theme of calm and serenity.
