An ode on a grecian urn
What is the first word that pops into your head when you hear the word Urn? Some might think of death, pottery or some people just might not know what an urn is. For John Keats an urn is a beautiful piece of art and love, and just a pinch of loneliness mixed all mixed together. "Ode on a Grecian Urn" is one Keats' masterpieces. Keats' poem encompasses three main themes of the Romantic period, imagination and fantasy; personal expression, the person is often the author; and the uses of symbolism and imagery where objects are endowed with significance beyond their obvious appearance, function or meaning. Keats starts the poem with references to a woodland scene. He uses this image to begin a series of questions that begin to unravel the mysteries of the urn. A flowery tale more sweetly than our rhyme: What leaf-fring'd legend haunts about thy shape What men or gods ore these? What maidens loth? What mad pursuit? What struggle to escape? What pipes and timbrels? What wild ecstasy?
In conclusion, "Ode on a Grecian Urn," by John Keats, is an exemplary piece of "Romantic" writing. This poem contains three prime characteristics of the romantic period. First it uses imagination and fantasy to paint a picture for the reader. Second it is an example of personal expression; it is a reflection done by John Keats as the narrator. Thirdly it using imagery and symbolism where the object is endowed with significance beyond its obvious appearance, function or meaning. Now think about the word urn and ask yourself, "what does it mean to me?" Though winning near the goal-yet, do not grieve; She cannot fade, though thou hast not thy bliss, In this section Keats is thinking out loud. He is trying to convince himself that they, his mother and brother, will always be with him. He begins these lines by feeling sorry for himself, but then realizes that self-pity would get him nowhere. He has one last thought of pity, which is "though thou hast not thy bliss" (line 19). He then decides to think of their deaths as fortifying them for the rest of his life; he will always have
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Approximate Word count = 739
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
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