Ode on a Grecian Urn, Ode to Psyche, Ode to a Nightingale detailed notes alongside practice paragraphs and detailed table with annotated quotes using a range of literary sources and personal interpretations
Context of the poem
Psyche represents the human soul made immortal through love (depicted as a butterfly) myth she
was the daughter of a king so pretty she made men forget the face of Venus (goddess of love)
although she is to be married to Eros (Venus's son) she loses him by burning him with an oil lamp and
is tormented by Venus. She completes Venus's tasks and is reunited with Ero's, forgiven by Venus
and made a god by Zeus.
Positives Negatives
“Thy choir” "Nor altar heap'd with flowers; nor virgin-choir"
“Thy voice, thy lute, thy pipe, thy incense sweet” "No voice, no lute, no pipe, no incense sweet”
“Thy shrine, thy grove, thy oracle, thy heat" “No shrine, no grove, no oracle, no heat”
This contrast mimics a call and response indicating that Keats is using creative expression. The
anaphora puts emphasis on the lack of items which qualify her worship and he replicates the list in the
previous stanza but the negative ''no's'' are now possessive ''thy's''. This presents Psyche as an
isolated figure until the speaker uses the power of imagination suggesting that they can fill in those
gaps to make Psyche feel wholesome again. There is a realisation to line 43 which suggests how
imagination is more important than religion or physical power. This relates to the romantic view of God
which caused the denial of their own experience.
1. What is an ode? An elaborate poem praising or glorifying an event/individual/idea
intellectually as well as emotionally. The word means to sing or chant.
2. What is the ‘Strophe’? Opening section first half of a debate of an argument
3. What is the ‘Antistrophe’ a response to? Counterpart of the Strophe second section
4. What is the third and final section of the ode called? The Epode is the closing stanza, a
unique metered verse
5. How do the meters differ in the three sections of the ode? Why do you think this is?
What is the effect of this? The Strophe is a structural division of a poem containing stanzas
of varying line length. It moves from right to left across the stanza. The Antistrophe moves
from west to east in response with the nature of a response. The Epode completes this
movement after the sections of chorus complete their response. This kinesthetic form is a
feature of classical poetry conveying the storytelling of the poem’s events.
6. What are the three types of odes? How do they differ? What kind of ode is ‘Ode to
Psyche? Pindaric ode often celebrates athletic victories as it is performed with chorus and
dancers. The Horatian ode is ceremonious and intimate typically using a recurrent stanza
pattern. The Irregular ode has no formal structure.
Form and structure
, Sonnets are one stanza 14 line poems expressing single feelings while this ode is glorifying
something with an elaborate stanza length. Although both are written in iambic pentameter
form.
This poem adopts a loose rhapsodic structure because rather than following a rigid form,
Keats is allowed to be creative and elaborate in discussing a mythological story.
The apostrophe to Psyche creates a sense of personal nostalgia because Keats is personally
addressing another concept - this is further enhanced by the preposition in the title ‘to’ -
allowing Keats to celebrate altruistic joy and beauty
This ode may be an allegory of the human soul
Massolit notes
‘To’ is an address whereas ‘on’ refers to an experience carries an idea of an inscription
Opposition of ‘to’ and ‘on’ - pindaric has a public and elevated form like performance (moving side to
side then standing still creates a sense of ambivalence) while the horatian ode is less public with a
sense of retirement from public engagement. There is a formal difference as the horatian ode is more
monostrophic
Irregular form with statement and response - first and last stanza are longer like bilateral symmetry
Lyrical form comes out of the page using deixis
Apostrophe - talking to something
Intimacy and personal feeling allows Keats to experiment through story of Psyche
Lines 1-4 sense of Cockney poet; first quatrain shows secrets rehearsed in public with uncomfortable
conjunctions
Lines 29-35 repetition of “no” followed by an offer so repetition of “thy” creates a cult of worship
Lines 36-41 lost sense of one with nature has a sentimental mood
Lines 50-60 intricate structure and stanzaic form as well as patterns of rhyme weaves in and out
1. How does the image of the forest landscape compare with those of the cultivated
landscape by the ‘gardener’ Fancy in the closing tableau. What are the differences in
effect? The use of nature suggests a harmonious relationship, and a sense of abundance,
idealised women and the world cannot exist in the real world because the real world is hostile.
This is because the forest landscape is heavy with “pine” and “haunted boughs” perhaps
symbolizing the chaos of life whereas the soft cultivated landscape consists of a “rosy
sanctuary” possibly showcasing Keats’ adoration of nature.
2. How does Keats use images associated with the senses in this poem? What is this
device called? Sensory imagery. Synaesthesia “wide quietness”. Tactile imagery "their arms
embraced" and auditory imagery "secrets should be sung"
3. Some critics have viewed this ode as an extended metaphor about poetry. Can you find
any evidence for this reading? Perhaps reference to "antique vows" and the phrase
"shadowy thought" could be evidence that poetry is timeless and precious.
4. What context can you connect with this poem? Lucius Apuleius' which depicts Pysche
and Eros "Faded hierarchy" refers to the fact that Keats has lost faith in the modern Christian
church which he finds more detached and restrictive. Hierarchy and tradition are core
Edmund Burke principles which Keats repudiates in his poetry post French Revolution and
Enlightenment replacing them with revolutionary ideals of social justice, freedom and cultural
change. "Too late" the time period of myths has passed, more scientific approach now. The
time for her to be honoured on a large scale has faded. Old and traditional beliefs had
connections with the natural world.
Explore how Keats’ presents the power of poetry in an “Ode to Psyche’.
‘Ode to Psyche’ by John Keats could be read as an extended metaphor about poetry,
suggesting that art is timeless and aesthetic. The two tableaux created in the ode revolve
around the story of Psyche and the speaker using his imagination to create a perfect place
for her. The superlative phrase “in deepest grass” shows that the natural world was hugely
significant to the Romantic poets, particularly in relation to the activities of humans. The wild
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller tobetotallyhonest1. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $5.32. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
