6. John Keats Ode on a Grecian Urn Listo

8/14/2019 6. John Keats Ode on a Grecian Urn Listo

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John KeatsJohn Keats


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BiographyBiography John Keats (1795-1821)John Keats (1795-1821), English lyric poet,, English lyric poet,

usually regarded as the archetype of the Romanticusually regarded as the archetype of the Romanticwriter. Keats felt that the deepest meaning of lifewriter. Keats felt that the deepest meaning of lifelay in the apprehension of material beauty,lay in the apprehension of material beauty,although his mature poems reveal his fascinationalthough his mature poems reveal his fascinationwith a world of death and decay.with a world of death and decay.

Keats was born in London on October 31, 1795 asKeats was born in London on October 31, 1795 asthe son of a livery-stable manager. He was thethe son of a livery-stable manager. He was theoldest of four children, who remained deeplyoldest of four children, who remained deeplydevoted to each other. After their father died indevoted to each other. After their father died in

1804, Keats's mother remarried but the marriage1804, Keats's mother remarried but the marriagewas soon broken. She moved with the children,was soon broken. She moved with the children,John and his sister Fanny and brothers GeorgeJohn and his sister Fanny and brothers Georgeand Tom, to live with her mother at Edmonton,and Tom, to live with her mother at Edmonton,

near London. She died of tuberculosis in 1810.near London. She died of tuberculosis in 1810.


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At school Keats read widely. He was educated atAt school Keats read widely. He was educated at

Clarke's School in Enfield, where he began aClarke's School in Enfield, where he began atranslation of thetranslation of the AeneidAeneid. In1811 he was. In1811 he wasapprenticed to a surgeon-apothecary. His firstapprenticed to a surgeon-apothecary. His firstpoem, "Lines in Imitation of Spenser", was writtenpoem, "Lines in Imitation of Spenser", was writtenin 1814. In that year he moved to London andin 1814. In that year he moved to London and

resumed his surgical studies in 1815 as a studentresumed his surgical studies in 1815 as a studentat Guy's hospital. Next year he became aat Guy's hospital. Next year he became aLicentiate of the Society of Apothecaries. BeforeLicentiate of the Society of Apothecaries. Beforedevoting himself entirely to poetry, Keats workeddevoting himself entirely to poetry, Keats workedas a dresser and junior house surgeon. In Londonas a dresser and junior house surgeon. In Londonhe had met the editor ofhe had met the editor of The ExaminerThe Examiner, Leigh, LeighHunt, who introduced him to other youngHunt, who introduced him to other youngRomantics, including Shelley. His poem, "ORomantics, including Shelley. His poem, "OSolitude", also appeared inSolitude", also appeared in The ExaminerThe Examiner..


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Keats's first book,Keats's first book, PoemsPoems, was published in 1817., was published in 1817.It was about this time Keats started to use hisIt was about this time Keats started to use hisletters as the vehicle of his thoughts of poetry.letters as the vehicle of his thoughts of poetry."Endymion", Keats's first long poem appeared,"Endymion", Keats's first long poem appeared,

when he was 21. Keats's greatest works werewhen he was 21. Keats's greatest works werewritten in the late 1810s, among them "Lamia",written in the late 1810s, among them "Lamia","The Eve of St. Agnes", the great odes including"The Eve of St. Agnes", the great odes including"Ode to a Nightingale", Ode To Autumn" and "Ode"Ode to a Nightingale", Ode To Autumn" and "Odeon a Grecian Urn". He worked briefly as aon a Grecian Urn". He worked briefly as atheatrical critic fortheatrical critic for The ChampionThe Champion..


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Keats spent three months in 1818 attending his brotherKeats spent three months in 1818 attending his brotherTom, who was seriously ill with tuberculosis. After Tom'sTom, who was seriously ill with tuberculosis. After Tom's

death in December, Keats moved to Hampstead. In thedeath in December, Keats moved to Hampstead. In thewinter of 1818-19 he worked mainly on "Hyperion".winter of 1818-19 he worked mainly on "Hyperion".

In 1820 the second volume of Keats poems appeared andIn 1820 the second volume of Keats poems appeared andgained critical success. However, Keats was suffering fromgained critical success. However, Keats was suffering from

tuberculosis and his poems were marked with sadnesstuberculosis and his poems were marked with sadnesspartly because he was too poor to marry Fanny Brawne,partly because he was too poor to marry Fanny Brawne,the woman he loved.the woman he loved.

Declining Shelley's invitation to join him at Pisa, KeatsDeclining Shelley's invitation to join him at Pisa, Keats

went to Rome, where he died at the age of 25, on Februarywent to Rome, where he died at the age of 25, on February23, 1821. Keats told his friend Joseph Severn that he23, 1821. Keats told his friend Joseph Severn that hewanted on his grave just the line, "Here lies one whosewanted on his grave just the line, "Here lies one whosename was written in water."name was written in water."


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Ode on a Grecian UrnOde on a Grecian Urn

byby

John KeatsJohn Keats


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Thou still unravish'd bride of quietness,Thou still unravish'd bride of quietness,Thou foster-child of silence and slow time,Thou foster-child of silence and slow time,Sylvan historian, who canst thou expressSylvan historian, who canst thou expressA flowery tale more sweetly than our rhyme:A flowery tale more sweetly than our rhyme:

What leaf-fring'd legend haunt about thy shapeWhat leaf-fring'd legend haunt about thy shapeOf deities or mortals, or of both,Of deities or mortals, or of both,

In Tempe or the dales of Arcady?In Tempe or the dales of Arcady?What men or gods are these? What maidens loth?What men or gods are these? What maidens loth?

What mad pursuit? What struggle to escape?What mad pursuit? What struggle to escape?What pipes and timbrels?What pipes and timbrels?

What wild ecstasy?What wild ecstasy?


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Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheardHeard melodies are sweet, but those unheardAre sweeter: therefore, ye soft pipes, play on;Are sweeter: therefore, ye soft pipes, play on;

Not to the sensual ear, but, more endear'd,Not to the sensual ear, but, more endear'd,

Pipe to the spirit ditties of no tone:Pipe to the spirit ditties of no tone:

Fair youth, beneath the trees, thou canst not leaveFair youth, beneath the trees, thou canst not leaveThy song, nor ever can those trees be bare;Thy song, nor ever can those trees be bare;Bold lover, never, never canst thou kiss,Bold lover, never, never canst thou kiss,

Though winning near the goal - yet, do not grieve;Though winning near the goal - yet, do not grieve;She cannot fade, though thou hast not thy bliss,She cannot fade, though thou hast not thy bliss,

For ever wilt thou love, and she be fair!For ever wilt thou love, and she be fair!Ah, happy, happy boughs! that cannot shedAh, happy, happy boughs! that cannot shed


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Your leaves, nor ever bid the spring adieu;Your leaves, nor ever bid the spring adieu;

And, happy melodist, unwearied,And, happy melodist, unwearied,

For ever piping songs for ever new;For ever piping songs for ever new;

More happy love! more happy, happy love!More happy love! more happy, happy love!

For ever warm and still to be enjoy'd,For ever warm and still to be enjoy'd,

For ever panting, and for ever young;For ever panting, and for ever young;

All breathing human passion far above,All breathing human passion far above,

That leaves a heart high-sorrowful and cloy'd,That leaves a heart high-sorrowful and cloy'd,

A burning forehead, and a parching tongue.A burning forehead, and a parching tongue.


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Who are these coming to the sacrifice?Who are these coming to the sacrifice?To what green altar, O mysterious priest,To what green altar, O mysterious priest,

Lead'st thou that heifer lowing at the skies,Lead'st thou that heifer lowing at the skies,

And all her silken flanks with garlands drest?And all her silken flanks with garlands drest?

What little town by river or sea shore,What little town by river or sea shore,Or mountain-built with peaceful citadel,Or mountain-built with peaceful citadel,

Is emptied of this folk, this pious morn?Is emptied of this folk, this pious morn?

And, little town, thy streets for evermoreAnd, little town, thy streets for evermore

Will silent be; and not a soul to tellWill silent be; and not a soul to tellWhy thou art desolate, can e'er return.Why thou art desolate, can e'er return.


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Ode on a Grecian UrnOde on a Grecian Urn O Attic shape! Fair attitude! with bredeO Attic shape! Fair attitude! with brede

Of marble men and maidens overwrought,Of marble men and maidens overwrought,With forest branches and the trodden weed;With forest branches and the trodden weed;

Thou, silent form, dost tease us out ofThou, silent form, dost tease us out ofthoughtthought

As doth eternity: Cold Pastoral!As doth eternity: Cold Pastoral!When old age shall this generation waste,When old age shall this generation waste,Thou shalt remain, in midst of other woeThou shalt remain, in midst of other woeThan ours, a friend to man, to whom thouThan ours, a friend to man, to whom thou

say'st,say'st,"Beauty is truth, truth beauty," - that is all"Beauty is truth, truth beauty," - that is all

Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know.Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know.


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analysisanalysis

Written in 1819, 'Ode on a Grecian Urn' was theWritten in 1819, 'Ode on a Grecian Urn' was thethird of the five 'great odes' of 1819, which arethird of the five 'great odes' of 1819, which aregenerally believed to have been written in thegenerally believed to have been written in thefollowing order - Psyche, Nightingale, Grecianfollowing order - Psyche, Nightingale, Grecian

Urn, Melancholy, and Autumn. Of the five,Urn, Melancholy, and Autumn. Of the five,Grecian Urn and Melancholy are merely datedGrecian Urn and Melancholy are merely dated'1819'. Critics have used vague references in'1819'. Critics have used vague references inKeats's letters as well as thematic progression toKeats's letters as well as thematic progression to

assign order. ('Ode on Indolence', though writtenassign order. ('Ode on Indolence', though writtenin March 1819, perhaps before Grecian Urn, is noin March 1819, perhaps before Grecian Urn, is notconsidered one of the 'great odes'.)considered one of the 'great odes'.)


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analysisanalysisThis ode contains the most discussed two lines in allThis ode contains the most discussed two lines in all

of Keats's poetry -of Keats's poetry - '"Beauty is truth, truth beauty,"'"Beauty is truth, truth beauty," -that is all/Ye know on earth, and all ye need tothat is all/Ye know on earth, and all ye need toknow.'know.' The exact meaning of those lines isThe exact meaning of those lines isdisputed by everyone; no less a critic than TS Eliodisputed by everyone; no less a critic than TS Eliotconsidered them a blight upon an otherwiseconsidered them a blight upon an otherwisebeautiful poem. Scholars have been unable tobeautiful poem. Scholars have been unable toagree to whom the last thirteen lines of the poemagree to whom the last thirteen lines of the poemare addressed. Arguments can be made for anyare addressed. Arguments can be made for anyof the four most obvious possibilities, -poet toof the four most obvious possibilities, -poet to

reader, urn to reader, poet to urn, poet to figuresreader, urn to reader, poet to urn, poet to figureson the urn. The issue is further confused by theon the urn. The issue is further confused by thechange in quotation marks between the originalchange in quotation marks between the originalmanuscript copy of the ode and the 1820manuscript copy of the ode and the 1820published edition.published edition.


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analysisanalysis

In order to like this poem we need to transporIn order to like this poem we need to transportourselves in time and have disbelieve.ourselves in time and have disbelieve.

The Urn becomes a bride who hasnt beenThe Urn becomes a bride who hasnt been

touched.touched.The Urn has been adopted by silence andThe Urn has been adopted by silence andslow time.slow time.

The Urn is a historian that describes history.The Urn is a historian that describes history.The Urn has a legend on it. In one way theThe Urn has a legend on it. In one way theUrn is a better historian.Urn is a better historian.

It's a flowery tales (a tale with flower)It's a flowery tales (a tale with flower)


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analysisanalysisThe story that the Urn tells is the history of Gods andThe story that the Urn tells is the history of Gods and

humans, and it is on the shape of the Urn.humans, and it is on the shape of the Urn.

Beauty is captured (pursuit) on the Urn.Beauty is captured (pursuit) on the Urn.

Pipes and tymbrelsPipes and tymbrels: the musicians struggle to: the musicians struggle to

escape.escape.No matters who comes, one can listen to theNo matters who comes, one can listen to the

melody that one wants to hear. The sound that wemelody that one wants to hear. The sound that we

hear is a present sound, but the one that thehear is a present sound, but the one that the

musician are playing, is for the spirit, withoumusician are playing, is for the spirit, withoutsound.sound.

A dittie is like a song, but it has no sound.A dittie is like a song, but it has no sound.


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analysisanalysis Consolation:Consolation: the man has the tree forever. In the world othe man has the tree forever. In the world of

the Urn, the trees are there for ever, and they never die.the Urn, the trees are there for ever, and they never die.

Even if he is very close to his love, he cannot fulfill his goal,Even if he is very close to his love, he cannot fulfill his goal,

but he doesnt grief because she cannot fade (she is alsobut he doesnt grief because she cannot fade (she is also

there forever). Forever with your love. How tragic to be sothere forever). Forever with your love. How tragic to be sonear to fulfillment and yet not been able to get it.near to fulfillment and yet not been able to get it.

Eternal:Eternal: melodies, beauty, youth and love.melodies, beauty, youth and love.

the melodies are forever new, the musician never get tirethe melodies are forever new, the musician never get tire

of playing. There is no limitation through time nor culture.of playing. There is no limitation through time nor culture.The melodies will always be updated.The melodies will always be updated.

The fun and beauty is there to be enjoyed for everyThe fun and beauty is there to be enjoyed for every

youngster.youngster.


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analysisanalysis

Cold Pastoral:Cold Pastoral: a cold pastoral describe life in the country side.a cold pastoral describe life in the country side.Its not people of flesh and bones. It is an Urn and does notIts not people of flesh and bones. It is an Urn and does nottransmits any living feelings. We only see it in the Urn. Atransmits any living feelings. We only see it in the Urn. Asign of eternity is that the Urn has passed throughsign of eternity is that the Urn has passed throughgenerations and when our generation will not be here, thegenerations and when our generation will not be here, the

Urn will.Urn will.The Urn will be in other peoples woe (suffering).The Urn will be in other peoples woe (suffering).

The Urn is a permanent friend who diminish pain andThe Urn is a permanent friend who diminish pain andsuffering for the next generations.suffering for the next generations.

Why? Because, when you are transported to another time,Why? Because, when you are transported to another time,pain goes away, at least temporarily. It gets you out of yourpain goes away, at least temporarily. It gets you out of yourreality, that is why the Urn is called a friend. The Urn helpsreality, that is why the Urn is called a friend. The Urn helpskill the pain and suffering of people throughout generationkill the pain and suffering of people throughout generationto pass.to pass.


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analysisanalysis

The Ode was inspired by the poets contemplatingThe Ode was inspired by the poets contemplating

the Elgin Marbles. Acquired by the British Museumthe Elgin Marbles. Acquired by the British Museum

in 1816, the Marbles are a group of reliein 1816, the Marbles are a group of relief

sculptures from the Parthenon in Athens thasculptures from the Parthenon in Athens thatdepict various scenes from Greek mythology, jusdepict various scenes from Greek mythology, just

which Urn if indeed it ever existed- Keats used aswhich Urn if indeed it ever existed- Keats used as

his model is not known.his model is not known.


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Thank you very muchThank you very much

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6. John Keats Ode on a Grecian Urn Listo