Similarities Between Keats And Mezzo Cammin

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The two poems "When I Have Fears" by Keats and "Mezzo Cammin" by Longfellow address the poets' failures and inevitable deaths. It is clear both poets feel that their time is about to come to an end as they solemnly reflect on their lives, but each does so differently. Keats sees his worldly desires as meaningless in the shadow of the world. He knows that he will never fulfill his dreams, yet realizes that they don't matter on the scale of things. Longfellow, however, regrets his lofty dreams and inability to reach them. Both poets use clear and powerful openings that set the tone for each poem and individualize their views on old age and death. Keats starts with the line "When I have fears that I may cease to be" (Keats 1) while Longfellow

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