Ode on a Grecian Urn

An ode is a relatively long, serious poem that discusses a noble subject in a thoughtful and dignified manner. John Keats’ “Ode on a Grecian Urn” shows all the characteristics composing a Horatorian ode, a consistent rhyme scheme (ABABCDE followed by a final CDE varying in order), the ode follows a definite meter of iambic pentameter and consists of five ten line stanzas. At first glance, the poem brings forth a light tone, one of …

…to establish meaning, stanzas start off light in the first four lines in establishing subject then become serious in the final six lines and provide a deeper meaning and insight into themes and issues with the use of literary devices, it is evident in all five stanzas of the ode as each stanza refers to a different part of the urn and concludes with an overview of the importance of the urn as a whole.