Hip-hop star Akala explores the language and themes of John Keats’ poem ‘Bright Star’ with the poet Daljit Nagra.
They discuss how the poem focuses on the transient nature of life and eternal nature of love.
Young poets develop and respond to the poem’s themes and emotions.
This clip is from the series Between the Lines: The Romantics.
Teacher Notes
Discuss the poem’s content, ideas, language and structure. What emotions are evoked? Pupils could look into context, compare alternative interpretations of the poem and explore Keats’ world, and the influences behind his poem/poetry.
Curriculum Notes
Romantic poetry is a key requirement on the new English Literature GCSE syllabus being taught from 2015 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.