Essay on Keats' "Ode on a Grecian UrnThis essay is going to discuss about the poem "Ode on a Grecian Urn" by John Keats. First, it will be presented a brief definition of ode and its usual types and then the discussion will be carried on.In Greek, ode means "song"; it is a lyric poem in which the authors usually talks about sentiments, makes a revelation and it is written in first person. It is usually a long poem where the stanzas are elaborated. It has no fixed form; the author creates it himself. It also has a marked formality and an elevated tone. The mood of this type of poem is usually melancholic and introspective. There are usually two types of odes: the public that deals w ...view middle of the document...
Urn is something static, fixed, however, the author creates a movement in the motionless scene. Another paradoxical example can also be proved when the author says "What pipes and timbrels?" it is not expected that an urn can make any sound. This can also be described as a sinestesic figure.In the second stanza, the author describes a little more about the scene presented. It has a sweet melody playing "heard melodies are sweet" and two young lovers "fair youth" enjoying the summer "beneath the trees". Although the poem suggests a movement in the urn scene, this last one is frozen. Thus, the maiden who was reluctant and struggling to escape will always be there for the joy of the man, even though he cannot kiss the girl. "She cannot fade, though thou hast not thy bliss, for ever wilt thou love, and she be fair!" Thereby, the "wild ecstasy" will forever endure, because the scene will not move.Going to the third stanza, where the author celebrates happiness and love, as it can be seen in "Ah, happy, happy boughs!"; "And happy melodist"; "More happy love! More happy, happy love love!" Here, the author deals with the immortality of the urn's scene. This stanza can be interpreted as a celebration of the eternity of Art. For instance, in this urn, a work of art, the love of those young lovers will last forever as we it can be perceived in "For ever warm and still to be enjoy'd, For ever panting, and for ever young:".In the fourth stanza, the author prese...