Form

This poem is a romantic ode which was popular in the 19th century when this poem was written.
Result of an author s deep meditation on the person or object Evolved from the ancient Greek ode

Author speaks to a person or thing, absent or present

Keats addresses the urn and the images on it.

Romantic Odes
Retained the serious tone of the Greek ode. were not meant to be sung, like the Roman rendition of __Greek odes. Were more emotional in their writing then Greek and Roman odes. Focused on a scene, pondered its meaning, and presented a highly personal reaction to it that included a special insight at the end of the poem (like the closing lines of Ode on a Grecian Urn ).

Keats Odes
SIX ODES Themes: The Inevitability of Death The Contemplation of Beauty Motifs: Departures and Reveries The Five Senses and Art The Disappearance of the Poet and the Speaker Symbols: Music and Musicians Nature The Ancient World

First Stanza
Pictures Frozen in Time Urn is a historian Wonders about pictures significance

Second Stanza
Examines picture of piper with his lover Unaffected by time Advice to youth: Don t grieve because beauty will never fade

Third Stanza
Looks at trees around lovers Never shed their leaves Piper s song for ever new Love will last forever on urn

Fourth Stanza
Examines picture of heifer being lead to be sacrificed Wonders about their destination and past Imagines their town

Fifth Stanza
Addresses urn itself Permanence Beauty is truth, truth beauty Simplicity

Closing Lines
Paradox Largely Debated Speaker: Urn or Speaker of Poem?

Figurative Language
Paradox: Final Lines Personification Parallel Structure