In John Keats’ poem “La Belle Dame Sans Merci,” the knight is on the cold side of the hill, and the girl lives in an elfin’s grotto. Explain how the setting in this poem reflects the frame of mind of the main characters.

The setting of the poem showcases the juxtaposition of the two main characters. The cold hill and the bleak landscape around reflect the demeanor of the knight. He is pursuing his path alone with no one to accompany him. He may not even be knowing where he is going – literally and figuratively. This is why the knight turned out to be so vulnerable to the female character’s advances – he has no direction of his own and can fall for anything. La belle dame lives in a grot, which can mean leading a secretive, reclusive life. While to some, her home could seem homely, for her, it is a place where she belongs. A grot may appear eerie but ignite curiosity as well.

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Academic.Tips. (2021) 'In John Keats’ poem “La Belle Dame Sans Merci,” the knight is on the cold side of the hill, and the girl lives in an elfin’s grotto. Explain how the setting in this poem reflects the frame of mind of the main characters'. 9 July.

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Academic.Tips. (2021, July 9). In John Keats’ poem “La Belle Dame Sans Merci,” the knight is on the cold side of the hill, and the girl lives in an elfin’s grotto. Explain how the setting in this poem reflects the frame of mind of the main characters. https://academic.tips/question/in-john-keats-poem-la-belle-dame-sans-merci-the-knight-is-on-the-cold-side-of-the-hill-and-the-girl-lives-in-an-elfins-grotto-explain-how-the-setting-in-this-poe/

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Academic.Tips. 2021. "In John Keats’ poem “La Belle Dame Sans Merci,” the knight is on the cold side of the hill, and the girl lives in an elfin’s grotto. Explain how the setting in this poem reflects the frame of mind of the main characters." July 9, 2021. https://academic.tips/question/in-john-keats-poem-la-belle-dame-sans-merci-the-knight-is-on-the-cold-side-of-the-hill-and-the-girl-lives-in-an-elfins-grotto-explain-how-the-setting-in-this-poe/.

1. Academic.Tips. "In John Keats’ poem “La Belle Dame Sans Merci,” the knight is on the cold side of the hill, and the girl lives in an elfin’s grotto. Explain how the setting in this poem reflects the frame of mind of the main characters." July 9, 2021. https://academic.tips/question/in-john-keats-poem-la-belle-dame-sans-merci-the-knight-is-on-the-cold-side-of-the-hill-and-the-girl-lives-in-an-elfins-grotto-explain-how-the-setting-in-this-poe/.


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Academic.Tips. "In John Keats’ poem “La Belle Dame Sans Merci,” the knight is on the cold side of the hill, and the girl lives in an elfin’s grotto. Explain how the setting in this poem reflects the frame of mind of the main characters." July 9, 2021. https://academic.tips/question/in-john-keats-poem-la-belle-dame-sans-merci-the-knight-is-on-the-cold-side-of-the-hill-and-the-girl-lives-in-an-elfins-grotto-explain-how-the-setting-in-this-poe/.

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"In John Keats’ poem “La Belle Dame Sans Merci,” the knight is on the cold side of the hill, and the girl lives in an elfin’s grotto. Explain how the setting in this poem reflects the frame of mind of the main characters." Academic.Tips, 9 July 2021, academic.tips/question/in-john-keats-poem-la-belle-dame-sans-merci-the-knight-is-on-the-cold-side-of-the-hill-and-the-girl-lives-in-an-elfins-grotto-explain-how-the-setting-in-this-poe/.

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