1. Do you ever feel that time is running out, or that you may not get to accomplish all that you wish to accomplish in life?
2. Keats died when he was just twenty-five years old. Does our knowledge of this fact make us read his poetry differently than we might have otherwise, in your opinion?
3. Discuss what you think this poem may be about from its title: ‘When I have fears that I may cease to be’.
COMPREHENDING AND RESPONDING
1. What fear does Keats express in the first line of this sonnet? Do you think this is a fear that a lot of people have or is it unique to Keats?
2. What ambition does Keats express a desire to fulfil in line two? Do you think he achieved this aim?
3. What is the phrase ‘full ripen’d grain’ in line three a metaphor for, in your opinion?
4. What fear does Keats express in lines 5–8? Explain his fear in your own words with reference to these lines.
5. How would you describe the tone of this sonnet? Support your answer with reference to the poem.
6. Keats seems to think that there is an element of luck involved in the creative process: ‘the magic hand of chance’. Do you agree with his view? Support your answer with reference to this poem and any other poem that you have studied for your Leaving Certificate course.
7. ‘There is a profound sense of loneliness in John Keats’ sonnet “When I have fears that I may cease to be”.’ Write a response to this statement, supporting your answer with quotation from and/or reference to this sonnet.
8. What theme or themes can you find in this poem? Refer to the poem in support of your answer.
CREATING
1. Write a humorous article for a popular magazine in which you reveal the little things that scare you (spiders, no Wi-Fi, a bad hair day, etc.).
2. Write an inspiring speech to be delivered during careers week at your school in which you persuade your audience to strive to achieve their potential in every area of their lives.
3. Some of the world’s most amazing discoveries were made by chance. Research one example of an accidental discovery or invention and write a diary entry from the perspective of the person who made the discovery.
