I find it strange that in John Keats' writing of Isabella, there seemed to be parallel moments and emotions pertaining to the deaths of he and Lorenzo.
In history (or at least what we know of it to the best of our ability, from historiographies, diaries, accurate biographies and letters between he, friends and one Fanny Brawne), John Keats died of tuberculosis, a disease that had plagued both him and the entirety of his family in body and in mind. Although, he found a love before he died (not too long either) which became deeper and deeper to the point of bringing pain to the both of them while they knew that John only grew sicker and closer to death.
Although this poem was written in 1818 and published in 1820 along with many other works, it reflects (perhaps unconsciously) a connection between him and Fanny Brawne.
To be specific, the love between Isabella and Lorenzo seems unaffected, or perhaps transcends, death. While the two were alive there was love, and although Lorenzo died, still did Isabella love him. And in her love for him, she found purpose and the will to live until it too was taken from her, leaving her to die.
In this, the love between John Keats and Fanny Brawne was strangely similar, although not exactly so. Specifically, the love between the two was strong although fairly short and the two did not get the chance to marry (although they were engaged). After John Keats died, Fanny Brawne mourned as a widow would mourn. She dressed in black and took long walks for many years after, reading poems and letters of her love.
Perhaps, and this is simply speculation, John Keats thought of this love as something that he would dare to hope for. That this was a love he considered true and something to strive for. And at the same time, perhaps that the natural order of things must continue even after the death of someone close.
Isabella would have died even with a purpose given to her by the pot of basil, her brothers simply sped the process. Her death was the natural order of life, even with the strength of a strong and undying love. Similarly, Fanny Brawn would become Frances Lindon by marrying one day and be forced to move on from outwardly mourning the death of her love.
Maybe when dealing with both the loves present in "Isabella" and in Keats' life, he wanted to express the feeling that love brings life. When Isabella and Lorenzo found their love to be true and complete, pure and undying, they began to live their lives to the fullest extent, and in happiness. In Romeo and Juliet, the tragedy of being torn apart caused them to die together, as they had died in each others' absence, even while one was still alive, standing over the dead body of their true love. When this life brought by love is snuffed out by death, a part of the person dies and is gone forever; a part of them never to return and never to be healed. But, as they live their lives, even if they die as well or end up marrying someone else, their truest love remains with them and in their thoughts, keeping it alive past the point of any natural cause or decay of matter. Thus, the beauty of torment.
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