ODE ON A GRECIAN URN

PAG 325 ES 1

1. E
2. C
3. A
4. B
5. D

PAG 325 ES 2

1. Bride of quietness – foster-child of silence and slow time – sylvan historian
2. Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard are sweeter – according to Keats, imagination creates a magnificent reality, that is different compared to the objective reality.

PAG 325 ES 3

1. That cannot shed your leaves, nor even bid the spring adieu – happy melodist, unwearied, for ever piping songs for ever new – for ever warm – for ever painting – for ever young – thou shalt remain
2. The negative aspect of eternity is that the urn is compelled to remain in midst of other woe than ours, but it will also enjoy positive aspects of life: music, spring, love and harmony.
3. Sadness, sickness, illness
4. Cold pastoral: immobility, indifference, disgust, envy, horror, competition, distance, lifelessness

Friend to man: warmth, guidance, helpfulness, closeness

1. Beauty is the ultimate truth in human life

PAG 325 ES 4

The Grecian urn addressed in the poem is the starting point for the poet’s meditation on the immortality of art and the transience of life. Both the title and the description of an Arcadian setting reflect Keats’s interest in ancient Greece and in its concept of harmony and beauty. The pastoral scenes and figures depicted on the urn are frozen in a permanent spring and have kept their sweetness, youth and devotion fresh and untouched for the viewers of past and future generations. In the contrast between the love scenes on the urn and real, human love, the former emerges as perfect and uncorrupt, yet unfulfilled, while the latter, even though fulfilled is spoilt by unpleasant sensations. Keats seems to be aware that the ideal world of the urn is cold and lifeless. And yet, this work of art, whose value simply lies in its being beautiful, will last forever to reveal the essence of beauty, the supreme truth that man can reach.  

PAG 325 ES 5

With Keats’s Ode on a Grecian urn, I would associate classical music, which represents harmony, peace and serenity. However, classical music can also become tragic and grand, reminding ancient civilization‘ grandness.