Ode on a Grecian Urn Explication

A detailed Summary of Ode on a Grecian Urn Explication


In the poem Ode on a Grecian Urn, John Keats uses imagery, symbolism, and tone to advance the theme of forbidden love. An assemblage of vigorous passion is compellingly portrayed on cold, motionless stone numerous times throughout the poem. Keats used the urn as a colorful pallet in which to paint a tragic love saga. The wistful scenery and naive undertone do not prepare the reader for the terror and wild sexuality unleashed in this poem.

One method Keats highly developed the premise of illicit love was to use intense forms of imagery. As the narrator discovers the urn, it is described in full detail what he sees. "What men or gods are these? What maidens loath? What mad pursuit? What struggle to escape? What pipes and timbrels? What wild ecstasy?" (lns 8-10). With this, the reader is almost brought into the ode, viewing the urn with the narrator. It is soon brought into a sharp, detailed focus that the urn depicts two young lovers. "Fair youth, beneath the trees, thou canst not leave. Thy song, nor ever can those trees be bare" (lns 15-6). These lines even further illustrate this non-visibl


e urn. This allows Keats the opportunity to utilize the ode into a much deeper understanding of symbolism.

The narrator portrays the ideal life on the urn as one without disenchantment and suffering with the use of pipes being played, possibly by one of the young lovers. "Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard are sweeter; therefore, ye soft pipes, play on; not to the sensual ear, but, more endeared, Pipe to the spirit ditties of no tone" (lns 11-4). These pipes being played symbolize the magnificence and beauty of how true love must feel. The image of the silent, desolate town exemplifies both pain and sorrow. "What little town by river or sea shore, or mountain-built with peaceful citadel, is emptied of this folk, this pious morn? And, little town, thy streets forevermore will silent be and not a soul to tell why thou art desolate, can e'er return" (lns 35-40). The barren town symbolizes not only the discovery of the young lover's forbidden romance by the town-folk, but also the emptiness the grieving young lovers felt, now knowing that their harmonious romance was at an end. The most

Some common words found in the essay are:
John Keats, Cold Pastoral, happy love, urn narrator, , true love, tragic love saga, viewing urn, little town, pipes played, love saga, tragic love, happy happy,

Approximate Word count = 744
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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