Ode on a Grecian Urn

By: John Keats

 John Keats was an English Romantic lyric poet whose verse is

Known for its vivid imagery and his great sensuous appeal..
 His reputation grew after his early death and he was greatly
Admired in the victorian age.
Introduction:
Ode on a grecian Urn' is a poem written by John Keats in 1819,written during Romantic
Era.when john Keats was 23 years old.when his life was in Emotional turmoil.
In precious six years his brother had died and he had met and fallen in love woth Fanny Brawne.

Literary context
'Ode on a Grecian Urn' was written during the Romantic era and as such falls under the
literary tradition of Romanticism.

'Ode on a Grecian Urn': context

John Keats did not live long, but the two historical contexts to be considered when reading
this poem are Greek history and Keats' own personal life.

Greek History
Urns were used to store the ashes of the dead. From the title, Keats introduces the theme of
mortality as the urn is a tangible symbol of death.Grecian urn symbolise the interlinking of
life and death.

Form
The poem is an ode.An ode is a style of poem that glorifies its subject

Structure
'Ode on a Grecian Urn' is written in iambic pentameter.

Iambic pentameter is a rhythm of versewhere each line has ten syllables. The syllables
alternate between an unstressed syallable followed by a stressed one.

Tone:
'Ode on a Grecian Urn' has no fixed
tone, a stylistic choice made by
Keats. The tone is ever-changing, from admiration of the urn to despair at reality.

literary techniques and devices

Symbolism
History and imagination
Alliteration and assonance

Alliteration is a literary device featuring the repetition of similar sounds or letters in a phrase

Assonance is a literary device similar to alliteration. It also features repeated similar sounds, but here
the emphasis is on vowel sounds - in particular, stressed vowel sounds

Enjambment
Keats uses enjambment to show the passing of time.

Enjambment is when the idea or thought continues past the end of the line into the following line.

'Ode on a Grecian Urn': themes

The relationship between art and life

Desire and fulfilment

 The contrast between morality and immorality,the pursuit of love , desires and
fulfillment.
 The poem is an exploration of the nature and its relationship with human experience.
 Ode on a grecian urn examines the close relationship between art,beauty and truth.
 Ode on a Grecian Urn
Stanza 01:
Thou still unravish'd bride of quietness,
Thou foster-child of silence and slow time,
The speaker directly addresses the urn, deeming it a pure partner of quietness itself as well as
the adopted child of silence and vast lengths of time.
Sylvan historian, who canst thus express
A flowery tale more sweetly than our rhyme:
The urn is a historian of rural scenes, which it depicts better than does the poetry of the
speaker's era (or perhaps language more generally).
What leaf-fring'd legend haunts about thy shape
Of deities or mortals, or of both,
In Tempe or the dales of Arcady?
The speaker wonders what stories are being told by the images on the urn; whether the figures
it depicts are human beings or gods, and which part of Greece they are in.
What men or gods are these? What maidens loth?
What mad pursuit? What struggle to escape?
The speaker wonders about the specific identity of the male characters and the reluctant-
looking women. Do the scenes show a chase and an attempt to escape?
What pipes and timbrels? What wild ecstasy?
Noting the musical instruments on the urn, the speaker questions if the scenes on display
represent some kind of delirious revelry.

Stanza 02:
Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard
Are sweeter;
The speaker praises music, but claims that music that cannot be heard (like that
on the urn) is even better.
therefore, ye soft pipes, play on;
Not to the sensual ear, but, more endear'd,
Pipe to the spirit ditties of no tone:
As such, the speaker implores the urn's pipes to keep playing—not for sensory
reward, but in tribute to silence.
Fair youth, beneath the trees, thou canst not leave
Thy song, nor ever can those trees be bare;
The speaker then focuses on a scene that depicts two young lovers. Though they
are nearly kissing, their lips can never meet. The speaker tells them not to be
upset, however:
Bold Lover, never, never canst thou kiss,
Though winning near the goal yet, do not grieve;
The speaker then focuses on a scene that depicts two young lovers. Though they
are nearly kissing, their lips can never meet. The speaker tells them not to be
upset, however:
She cannot fade, though thou hast not thy bliss,
For ever wilt thou love, and she be fair!
though the kiss will never happen, the man and woman will always love one
another (or the man will always love the woman), and the woman will always be
beautiful.

Stanza 03:
Ah, happy, happy boughs! that cannot shed
Your leaves, nor ever bid the Spring adieu;
The speaker now addresses the images of trees on the urn, calling their boughs
happy because they will never lose their leaves, and they will never have to say
goodbye to spring.
And, happy melodist, unwearied,
For ever piping songs for ever new;
The speaker then returns to the piper, whom they perceive as happy and untiring
—the piper will play new music for the rest of time.
More happy love! more happy, happy love!
This fills the speaker with thoughts of happiness and love.
For ever warm and still to be enjoy'd,
For ever panting, and for ever young;
The figures on the urn will always have happiness to look forward to, always be
out of breath from the chase, and always be young.
All breathing human passion far above,
That leaves a heart high-sorrowful and cloy'd,
A burning forehead, and a parching tongue.
All the passions of the living human world are far removed from the figures on the
urn—and these passions cause heartache, lovesick fevers, and thirst.
Poem:
“Ode To The Grecian Urn
Stanza # 04

“Who are these coming to the sacrifice? To what green altar, O mysterious priest, Lead’st thou
that heifer lowing at the skies, And all her silken flanks with garlands drest? 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 for evermore Will silent be; and not a soul to tell Why
thou art desolate, can e’er return.”

Explanation:
In the fourth stanza, the speaker examines another picture on the urn, this one of a group
of villagers leading a heifer to be sacrificed. He wonders where they are going (“To what green
altar, O mysterious priest…”) and from where they have come. He imagines their little town,
empty of all its citizens, and tells it that its streets will “for evermore” be silent, for those who
have left it, frozen on the urn, will never return.
The speaker attempts to think about the figures on the urn as though they were
experiencing human time, imagining that their procession has an origin (the “little town”) and a
destination (the “green altar”). But all he can think is that the town will forever be deserted: If
these people have left their origin, they will never return to it. In this sense he confronts head-on
the limits of static art; if it is impossible to learn from the urn the whos and wheres of the “real
story” in the first stanza, it is impossible ever to know the origin and the destination of the
figures on the urn in the fourth.
Once the speaker confronts the silence and eternal emptiness of the little town, he has
reached the limit of static art; on this subject, at least, there is nothing more the urn can tell him.

Stanza # 05
“O Attic shape! Fair attitude! With brede Of marble men and maidens overwrought, With
forest branches and the trodden weed; Thou, silent form, dost tease us out of thought
As doth eternity: Cold Pastoral! When old age shall this generation waste, Thou shalt remain,
in midst of other woe Than ours, a friend to man, to whom thou say’st, “Beauty is truth, truth
beauty,-that is all Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know.”
Explanation:
In the fifth stanza, the speaker again addresses the urn itself, saying that it, like Eternity,
“doth tease us out of thought.” He thinks that when his generation is long dead. The urn will
remain, telling future generations its enigmatic lesson: “Beauty is truth, truth beauty.” The
speaker says that that is the only thing the urn knows and the only thing it needs to know.
In the final stanza, the speaker presents the conclusions drawn from his three attempts to
engage with the urn. He is overwhelmed by its existence outside of temporal change, with its
ability to “tease” him “out of thought / As doth eternity.” Urn can be a “friend to man,” as the
speaker says, but it cannot be mortal; the kind of aesthetic connection the speaker experiences
with the urn is ultimately insufficient to human life.
The final two lines, in which the speaker imagines the urn speaking its message to
mankind-“Beauty is truth, truth beauty,” have proved among the most difficult to interpret in
the Keats canon. It can be described in two ways:
1.It could be the speaker addressing the urn, and it could be the urn addressing
mankind. If it is the speaker addressing the urn, then it would seem to indicate his awareness of
its limitations: The urn may not need to know anything beyond the equation of beauty and truth,
but the complications of human life make it impossible for such a simple and self-contained
phrase to express sufficiently anything about necessary human knowledge.
2.If it is the urn addressing mankind, then the phrase has rather the weight of an
important lesson, as though beyond all the complications of human life, all human beings need to
know on earth is that beauty and truth are one and the same. It is largely a matter of personal
interpretation which reading to accept.
Name: Aqasha Nawab.
Roll No: S024
Poem: Ode To The Grecian Urn
By John Keats

The poem plays on the tensions between mortality and immortality, art and nature, desire and
fulfillment.
The truth of art is inseparable from its beauty, and is a “friend to man” that lasts through time.

Symbolism

1. The Urn Itself:

The Grecian urn symbolizes timeless beauty and eternal truth. As an artifact from ancient
Greece, it captures and preserves moments of life in art, suggesting that art can transcend the
temporal confines of human existence.
Thou still unravish’d bride of quietness,
Thou foster-child of Silence and slow Time”
Here, the urn is depicted as an eternal object, untouched by time and decay, a “foster-child” of
“Silence and slow Time,” emphasizing its perpetual beauty.

2. The Scenes on the Urn:

The various scenes depicted on the urn symbolize idealized and frozen moments of life. These
scenes include lovers about to kiss, musicians playing instruments, and a procession to a
sacrifice. Each of these moments is captured in an eternal state, representing the idea that art can
immortalize beauty and emotion.
Bold Lover, never, never canst thou kiss,
Though winning near the goal—yet, do not grieve;
She cannot fade, though thou hast not thy bliss,
 For ever wilt thou love, and she be fair!”
The lovers are forever on the brink of fulfillment, symbolizing the eternal pursuit of beauty and
desire. They never attain their goal, which preserves the purity and intensity of their emotion
eternally.

3. The Trees:
The trees depicted on the urn, which will never shed their leaves, symbolize an eternal spring, a
season of renewal and beauty that never ends.
“Ah, happy, happy boughs! That cannot shed
Your leaves, nor ever bid the Spring adieu”
This symbolizes an unchanging state of beauty and perfection, unlike the natural world, where
seasons change and life is transient.

4. The Sacrificial Scene:

The depiction of a sacrificial ritual on the urn symbolizes the intersection of life and death, the
sacred and the profane. It suggests the cycles of human existence and the cultural rituals that give
life meaning.
“What little town by river or sea shore,
Or mountain-built with peaceful citadel,
Is emptied of this folk, this pious morn?”
This scene captures a moment of communal participation and religious significance, frozen in
time, reflecting on the continuity of human traditions.

5. The Final Lines:

The concluding lines of the poem
, “Beauty is truth, truth beauty,—that is all / Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know,”
Encapsulate the ultimate symbolic message of the urn. It suggests that the aesthetic experience
of beauty holds a deep, intrinsic truth, transcending the need for further knowledge. These lines
are often interpreted as the urn speaking its wisdom to mankind, symbolizing the idea that the
pursuit and appreciation of beauty can lead to a profound understanding of life’s truths.

Structure Of The Poem:

 1. Stanza Form:
The poem consists of five stanzas, each containing ten lines. This form is known as a
“decastich.”

2. Rhyme Scheme:
The rhyme scheme varies slightly between stanzas but generally follows an ABABCDEDCCE
pattern. This means that the first and third lines rhyme (A), the second and fourth lines rhyme
(B), and so on.

3. Meter:
The meter of the poem is generally iambic pentameter, with five pairs of alternating stressed and
unstressed syllables per line. However, Keats sometimes varies the meter for emphasis or to
create a particular effect.

4.Shifts in Tone and Theme:

Each stanza typically explores different aspects of the urn or reflects on different themes related
to art, beauty, and truth. There’s often a progression from observation to contemplation, leading
to a deeper understanding or reflection by the end of the poem.

4. Refrain:
The final two lines of the poem serve as a refrain that repeats the phrase “Beauty is truth, truth
beauty,—that is all / Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know.” This refrain emphasizes one
of the central themes of the poem and provides a sense of closure and unity.

6.Language and Imagery:

The voice is that of a third person narrator, contemplating intellectually and emotional the urn
and its significance. The ode is formed as a series of images which are described and considered.
So, for example the urn is referred to as a ‘bride of quietness’; a ‘child of silence, as a teller of
pastoral stories etc. But the dominant image appears in the final stanza is as a ‘Cold Pastoral’,
suggesting that its unfading beauty cannot give it the warmth and life of being human.

7.Rhythm:

The rhythm is predominantly iambic pentameter, which means each line typically contains five
pairs of alternating stressed and unstressed syllables. This regular meter creates a flowing and
musical quality to the poem’s language, enhancing its aesthetic appeal and contributing to its
timeless beauty.
 NAME: MAHEK AZIZ

ROLL NO. S025

ASSIGNMENT :POETRY

SUBMITTED TO:MA’AM RABIA

TOPIC: THEMES

THEMES:
Following are the themes used in this poem:

 Timelessness vs. Time's Passage:

The urn stands as a symbol of permanence and
timelessness, contrasting with the transient nature of human existence.
Keats explores the tension between the timeless beauty of art and the
impermanence of life, raising questions about the nature of existence and
the human experience.

"Thou foster-child of silence and slow time" (Line 2)

 The Nature of Artistic Inspiration:

Keats contemplates the source of artistic inspiration and
creativity. The urn serves as a muse for the poet, sparking reflections on
beauty, love, and mortality. Through the process of poetic interpretation,
Keats explores the ways in which art inspires and informs human
understanding.

"Sylvan historian, who canst thus express / A flowery

tale more sweetly than our rhyme" (Lines 3-4)
  Art and Immortality:
The urn itself is a work of art, frozen in time. It captures moments
and stories from the past, preserving them for eternity. Through art, Keats
suggests a form of immortality, where the beauty of the urn's scenes and
figures outlasts the passage of time .

"Thou shalt remain, in midst of other woe / Than ours, a

friend to man" (Lines 49-50)

 Human Experience and Emotion:

The scenes depicted on the urn portray various aspects of
human life, including love, passion, joy, and sacrifice. Keats
examines the complexities of human emotion and experience, inviting
readers to contemplate the universal themes represented on the urn.

"What men or gods are these? What maidens loth? /

What mad pursuit? What struggle to escape?" (Lines 7-8)
 Beauty and Truth:
This theme is encapsulated in the famous closing lines,
"Beauty is truth, truth beauty,—that is all / Ye know on earth, and all ye
need to know." Keats suggests that beauty and truth are interconnected
and eternal, and that understanding beauty is a path to grasping deeper
truths.

“Beauty is truth, truth beauty,—that is all / Ye know on

earth, and all ye need to know." (Lines 49-50)

 Idealization vs. Reality:

The scenes depicted on the urn present idealized versions
of life and love, frozen in perfection. Keats explores the tension
between these idealized representations and the messy, imperfect
reality of human existence. The figures on the urn exist in a state of
 perpetual beauty and youth, untouched by the trials and tribulations
of life.
"Ah, happy, happy boughs! that cannot shed / Your
leaves, nor ever bid the Spring adieu" (Lines 21-22)

 The Paradox of Permanence and Change:

While the urn itself remains unchanged over time, the scenes
it depicts capture moments of change and movement. Keats explores
the paradox of permanence and change, suggesting that while the
physical world may be fleeting, the beauty and truth of art endure.

"Not to the sensual ear, but, more endear'd, / Pipe to

the spirit ditties of no tone" (Lines 13-14)

 Transcendence and Escape:

The scenes on the urn offer a form of escape from
the limitations of reality, transporting viewers to a realm of timeless
beauty and harmony. Keats suggests that art has the power to
transcend the mundane and elevate the human spirit, offering
moments of solace and transcendence in the face of life's challenges.
"Not to the sensual ear, but, more endear'd, / Pipe to
the spirit ditties of no tone" (Lines 13-14)

 The Limits of Human Understanding:

In contemplating the mysteries of the urn and its
scenes, Keats acknowledges the limits of human understanding. The
poem grapples with the ineffable nature of beauty and truth,
suggesting that some truths may remain beyond human
comprehension.
”When old age shall this generation waste" (Line 46)

 The Power of Art:

 Through the urn, Keats explores the power of art to
evoke emotion, inspire imagination, and transcend the limitations of
reality. The urn becomes a gateway to a realm of beauty and
meaning, offering solace and insight to those who contemplate its
scenes.
"Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard / Are
sweeter" (Lines 11-12)