"Endymion" is a poem written by John Keats, which is directly inspired by Greek mythology.

It
tells the story of Endymion, a shepherd who is loved by the moon goddess Selene (also known
as Luna in Roman mythology). The mythological Endymion was renowned for his beauty, and
Selene was so enamored with him that she asked Zeus to grant him eternal youth and eternal
sleep so she could visit him every night.

Zeus, moved by Selene's plea, granted Endymion the gift of eternal youth and placed him in an
eternal sleep in a cave on Mount Latmos (or sometimes Mount Karios). There, Selene would
descend from the sky each night to be with Endymion.

In Keats' poem, he explores themes of love, beauty, and the quest for ideal beauty. Endymion
represents the poet's ideal of beauty, and the poem is a celebration of the beauty found in art,
nature, and the imagination. It consists of four books and is written in the epic style, though it is
considered more of a poetic romance rather than a strict epic poem.

Keats uses rich imagery and elaborate language to describe Endymion's journey and his
encounters with various characters and mythological figures. The poem reflects Keats'
fascination with Greek mythology and his belief in the transcendent power of beauty and the
imagination.

Overall, "Endymion" showcases Keats' engagement with Greek mythology as a source of

inspiration and his exploration of themes related to beauty, love, and the human spirit.

‘A thing of beauty is a joy forever.’ This is what John Keats says in the poem. Do you think in the present
times of acute stress and violence, proximity to beautiful things can lead man to everlasting happiness?
Discuss.

Answer: A thing of beauty gives us permanent happiness. When we look at objects of beauty, we feel happy,
and the lasting impression that such objects leave on our mind continues to give us pleasure even when they are
no longer in our sight. In the present times of acute stress and violence, the objects of beauty attain even greater
significance. When our mind is anxious and troubled, the very sight of beautiful things often comes as a relief
and provides us comfort and happiness for the moment. Appreciating beautiful things is like appreciating God,
who has bestowed them upon mankind as a gift so that we can derive happiness and solace from them.
Proximity to beautiful things brings us closer to the creator, in whom lies the ultimate power to grant us relief
from all anxieties and troubles. Therefore, it is sure to bring everlasting happiness at all times.

Explain ‘An endless fountain of immortal drink’.

Answer: This line is taken from John Keats’ poem, ‘A Thing of Beauty’. That beauty is everlasting, as it
creates an eternal joy in the beholder. It is an endless fountain of joy that is immortal as a drink pouring down
on us, as a water of joy from the edge of heaven’s cliff. The eternal joy is like a bliss of heaven on Earth. The
poet here says these words in order to explain the nature of the pleasure and joy that is created when a beautiful
object is seen by a beholder. The poet here affirms the truth that beauty is not ephemeral, but eternal. The
pleasure we receive