The Eve of St Agnes quotes

"But no - already had his deathbell rung: The joys of all his life were said and sung" - line 23

Keats shows that death can happen in the blink of an eye - foreshadowing the death of the Beadsman. But he also emphasises that this man is ready for death as he has experienced a great life in his youth.

"Young virgins might have visions of delight" - line 49

This night is a 'reward' for staying a virgin and people get excited about it because they believe they will see their future of love

"Hoodwinked with faery fancy" - line 73

The mentions of 'faery' is this poem show that the magic of the imagination takes over the reality very easily - on this night especially as young women hope

"with heart on fire for Madeline." - line 78

Porphyro is introduced and right from the start we learn of his infatuation for Madeline

"silent as a tomb." - line 117

Suggesting that Porphyro and Madeline will be trapped within this 'love'

"Yet men will murder upon holy days" - line 123

A suggestion that perhaps Porphyro is a threat to Madeline and her innocence

"I will not harm her, by all saints I swear" - line 149

Porphyro charms Angela, with his romantic language, so that she will trust him and he can have his way with Madeline

"to Madeline's chamber, and there hide him in a closet" - line 169

Whilst Porphyro may have charmed Angela into thinking this is a romantic gesture, really it is obsessive and bizarre

"She seemed a splendid angel...so pure a thing, so free from mortal taint." - line 230

Madeline's innocence is very apparent as Porphyro plans to taint that innocence. He compares her to heavenly imagery and sees her as a perfect woman

"fair St Agnes in her bed" - line 240

Porphyro has succeeded in tricking Madeline as she believes that this is the man St Agnes has sent her

"As though a rose should shut, and be bud again." - line 250

A warning that this night with Porphyro cannot be undone

"Of candied apple, quince, and plum, and gourd" - line 273

Porphyro creates an ideal atmosphere to further trick Madeline into believing that this night was the St Agnes dream

"For meek St Agnes' sake" - line 286

He believes that he is doing this to be a good man and help out St Agnes on the night where most women desire this

"Fearing to move or speak, she looked so dreamingly." - line 315

Porphyro is captivated by her beauty, but also is scared to wake her up because he doesn't know what her reaction will be

"Into her dream he melted" - line 329

Madeline's dream and reality blend into one and become unrecognisable - she does not know which one she is experiencing

"pattering the sharp sleet"..."icèd gusts"..."elfin-storm" - line 332, line 336 & line 352

The stormy setting adds to the dark atmosphere that Porphyro has created - it shows that their relationship has been built on lie and cannot be turned around

"In all the house was heard no human sound." - line 365

The pair are completely isolated and alone, which emphasises how their love will be forever

"They glide, like phantoms, into the wide hall" - line 370

Now that they are on their way to run away from their lives, Keats is suggesting that they are basically dead already as this relationship will ruin them both

"These lovers flew away into the storm." - line 380

Entering the destructive and harsh weather - much like their love