Ode_on_a_Grecian_Urn_Analytical_Report

Ode on a Grecian Urn Ode on a Grecian Urn is written by a poet named John Keats which displays the power of admiration and art is superior to nature. The speaker is admiring a piece of Greek Grecian urn that has survived over many generations. “Thou still unravish’d bride of quietness”, the use of techniques such as personification and metaphor explains the urn although ironically the word ‘quietness’ suggests it has very little meaning. Working through the first stanza, the speaker questions and describes what she is feeling, and then comes a series of rhetorical questions, “In Tempe or the dales of Arcady' What men or gods are these' What maidens loth' What mad pursuit' What struggle to escape' What pipes and timbrels' What wild ecstasy'” Each rhetorical question slowly increases the pace of tension. “Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard are sweeter”. The use of paradox which gives us imagery of what it sounds like, an open interpretation. “Therefore, ye soft pipes, play on”. The speaker is continuing to capture the imagination. “Fair youth, beneath the trees, thou canst not leave”, she is trapped under a tree, she doesn’t want to leave. “Bold lover, never, never canst thou kiss”, a feeling of remorse and she can’t kiss her. Your leaves, nor ever bid the spring adieu”. Representing that the urn will always be spring, always fresh. Also representing that the urn will never be tired, “For ever piping songs for ever new”. “More happy love! More happy, happy love! The use of repetition exclaiming that she doesn’t have to face real life, always fresh, always young. The use of contrast and irony towards the end of stanza three, “All breathing human passion far above, that leaves a heart high-sorrowful and cloy’d, a burning forehead, and a parching tongue”. Passion that cannot ever be fulfilled and will always be loved. Where in real life, love only lasts to the desire of ones self, and that love dies after a while. “O Attic shape!” A description of the particular design of the urn. “Thou, silent form, dost tease us out of thought”. The use of motif of the word silent showing us although the urn is quiet, it says so much. “Thou shalt remain, in midst of other woe than ours, a friend to man, to whom thou say’st”. Giving the urn high praise and capturing the essence of life reminding us of those things. “Beauty is truth, truth beauty”. Symbolises the urn as being beautiful and captures the truth. It also reflects our humanity which represents our beauty and mortality. This is how the poet displays the power of admiration and that art is superior to nature.