# Basil — Poetry character guide

> Basil in Poetry by John Keats.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** it, its

**First appearance:** 0051-i

## Who they are

The pot of basil that Isabel nurtures, almost a character itself.

## In the story

### [Isabella, or the Pot of Basil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/isabella-or-the-pot-of-basil)

The basil plant that grows from Lorenzo's head, which Isabella tends obsessively.

### [XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/xxxvii)

The basil plant with dewy bright eyes that keeps phantom fear aloof from Isabel.

### [XLVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/xlviii)

The basil plant is the object of Isabel's labor, symbolizing her buried love.

### [LI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/li)

The basil plant is the object of Isabel's mourning and care.

### [LII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/lii)

The plant is placed in a garden-pot as a tomb for her lover.

### [LIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/liii)

The basil plant is the sole object of Isabel's attention, which she waters with her tears.

### [LIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/liv)

The basil plant grows beautifully, fed by Isabel's tears and the hidden head.

### [LVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/lviii)

The basil plant flourishes as if by magic, central to Isabel's fixation and her brothers' confusion.

### [LIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/lix)

The basil plant is the object of Isabel's obsessive care and mourning.

### [LXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/lxii)

The basil plant that Isabel mourns and seeks, stolen from her.

### [LXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/chapters/lxiii)

The stolen basil-pot that Isabel mourns.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/characters/basil
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_14_se/characters