The OdeThe Ode

The Ode’s OriginThe Ode’s Origin

The word “ode" comes from the Greek word The word “ode" comes from the Greek word aeideinaeidein, which means to sing or chant., which means to sing or chant.

Definition: a formal address to an event, a Definition: a formal address to an event, a person, or a thing not present. person, or a thing not present.

Categorized under lyric poetry (meant to be sung Categorized under lyric poetry (meant to be sung or recited to music; lyric poems enable poets to or recited to music; lyric poems enable poets to express feelings and personal emotions)express feelings and personal emotions)

The ode was originally accompanied by music The ode was originally accompanied by music and dance.and dance.

There are four typical types of odes: the Pindaric, There are four typical types of odes: the Pindaric, Horatian/English, Irregular, and Romantic. Horatian/English, Irregular, and Romantic.

PindaricPindaric The Pindaric is named for the ancient Greek poet Pindar, who is The Pindaric is named for the ancient Greek poet Pindar, who is

credited with inventing the ode.credited with inventing the ode. Pindaric odes were performed with a chorus and dancers, and Pindaric odes were performed with a chorus and dancers, and

often composed to celebrate athletic victories. often composed to celebrate athletic victories. Structure: made up of three, ten line stanzasStructure: made up of three, ten line stanzas 1. Formal opening (or strophe)1. Formal opening (or strophe) 2. Antistrophe (mirrors the opening)2. Antistrophe (mirrors the opening) 3. Epode (final closing or stand)3. Epode (final closing or stand) The first two parts are structured alike. The stand is different from The first two parts are structured alike. The stand is different from

the first two movements. the first two movements. The strophe would be one point-of-view. The antistrophe the The strophe would be one point-of-view. The antistrophe the

opposite, the stand a conclusion somewhere in the middle.opposite, the stand a conclusion somewhere in the middle.

The poet determines meter, stanza length, rhyme scheme etc. for The poet determines meter, stanza length, rhyme scheme etc. for the two types of movement.the two types of movement.

Or, the Pindaric ode can be written in triads of three verses (the Or, the Pindaric ode can be written in triads of three verses (the strophe, antistrophe, and epode can be repeated)strophe, antistrophe, and epode can be repeated)

Horatian, Homostrophic, or Horatian, Homostrophic, or English OdeEnglish Ode

The Horatian ode, named for the Roman poet The Horatian ode, named for the Roman poet Horace, is more tranquil and contemplative than Horace, is more tranquil and contemplative than the Pindaric ode. the Pindaric ode.

It is less formal, less ceremonious (used for being It is less formal, less ceremonious (used for being read than being produced theatrically)read than being produced theatrically)

The Horatian ode typically uses a regular, The Horatian ode typically uses a regular, recurrent stanza pattern. recurrent stanza pattern.

The English Ode is slightly more structured. The English Ode is slightly more structured. Traditionally, the poet can choose the number of Traditionally, the poet can choose the number of lines, the rhyme pattern and meter, but many lines, the rhyme pattern and meter, but many stick to the following conventions:stick to the following conventions:

Ten lines per stanzaTen lines per stanza Rhyme pattern ABABCDECDERhyme pattern ABABCDECDE Iambic pentameter rhythmIambic pentameter rhythm

IrregularIrregular The Irregular Ode, known also as the The Irregular Ode, known also as the

Cowleyan Ode, returns to visit the Cowleyan Ode, returns to visit the traditional themes of the Classic Ode.traditional themes of the Classic Ode.

This was the ode most often written This was the ode most often written during the Romantic Era. Some believe during the Romantic Era. Some believe that it was created by accident, when the that it was created by accident, when the rules of the Classic Ode were rules of the Classic Ode were misinterpreted.misinterpreted.

Rhyme and meter are still used, but in a Rhyme and meter are still used, but in a much more relaxed fashion much more relaxed fashion

Line length and stanza structure are Line length and stanza structure are disjointed.disjointed.

Romantic OdeRomantic Ode

The Romantic Ode often followed the Irregular The Romantic Ode often followed the Irregular Ode's structure and the English Ode's Ode's structure and the English Ode's meditative quality. meditative quality.

There are three major rules that appear in nearly all There are three major rules that appear in nearly all Romantic Odes:Romantic Odes:

1.1. The use of appearance of nature.The use of appearance of nature.2.2. A meditative state that focuses on a particular A meditative state that focuses on a particular

internal issue.internal issue.3.3. A resolution, which occurs as a vision, a A resolution, which occurs as a vision, a

decision, or an action that returns the speaker of decision, or an action that returns the speaker of the poem back to the original scene in nature.the poem back to the original scene in nature.

Ode FormatOde Format It must have more than one stanza. It must have more than one stanza. All the stanzas have the same meter and rhyming All the stanzas have the same meter and rhyming

scheme scheme Every line rhymes with at least one other line in Every line rhymes with at least one other line in

the same stanza. the same stanza. These properties are already sufficient to call a These properties are already sufficient to call a

poem an ode. poem an ode. Other forms that are also Odes:Other forms that are also Odes: 1. Ballad1. Ballad 2. Rhyme Royal2. Rhyme Royal 3. Georgian Shairi3. Georgian Shairi 4. Romantic Stanza4. Romantic Stanza 5. A poem of rhyming couplets5. A poem of rhyming couplets

John KeatsJohn Keats John Keats was born on Halloween, 1795 in London, England.John Keats was born on Halloween, 1795 in London, England. He had three siblings: George, Thomas, and Frances Mary "Fanny“.He had three siblings: George, Thomas, and Frances Mary "Fanny“. Both of his parents died, Keats was taken care of his grandmother Both of his parents died, Keats was taken care of his grandmother

who was after the family money – and John and his brothers moved who was after the family money – and John and his brothers moved to Hampstead. to Hampstead.

Keats met his lifelong friend Charles Armitage Brown there, whom Keats met his lifelong friend Charles Armitage Brown there, whom he moved in with after the death of Keats’ brother, George.he moved in with after the death of Keats’ brother, George.

Unknown to Keats, he was suffering already from the early stages of Unknown to Keats, he was suffering already from the early stages of tuberculosis tuberculosis

Around this time Keats met, fell in love with, and became engaged Around this time Keats met, fell in love with, and became engaged to eighteen year old "Fanny" Brawne.to eighteen year old "Fanny" Brawne.

Their relationship inspired spiritual development for Keats, but it Their relationship inspired spiritual development for Keats, but it was also tempestuous, filled with jealousy and infatuation of a first was also tempestuous, filled with jealousy and infatuation of a first love. love.

Many for a time were convinced that Fanny was the cause of his Many for a time were convinced that Fanny was the cause of his illness, or, used that as an excuse to try to keep her away from him. illness, or, used that as an excuse to try to keep her away from him.

Keats had a hemorrhage and gave Fanny permission to break their Keats had a hemorrhage and gave Fanny permission to break their engagement. She refused, and in his last days she remained loyal engagement. She refused, and in his last days she remained loyal to him.to him.

John Keats continuedJohn Keats continued Keats felt well enough to visit Italy with painter friend, Keats felt well enough to visit Italy with painter friend,

Joseph Severn hoping for a full recovery.Joseph Severn hoping for a full recovery. Keats soon fell into a deep depression. When his Keats soon fell into a deep depression. When his

attending doctor James Clark told Keats he had attending doctor James Clark told Keats he had tuberculosis, Keats tuberculosis, Keats longed to end his life and avoid the longed to end his life and avoid the humiliating physical and mental torments of humiliating physical and mental torments of tuberculosis.tuberculosis.

He was confined to bed, with friend, Severn a devoted He was confined to bed, with friend, Severn a devoted nurse. nurse.

Keats would not write to Fanny and would not read a Keats would not write to Fanny and would not read a letter from her for fear of the pain it would cause him, letter from her for fear of the pain it would cause him, although he constantly clasped her marble she had although he constantly clasped her marble she had given him for comfort.given him for comfort.

During bouts of coughing, fever, nightmares, Keats During bouts of coughing, fever, nightmares, Keats also tried to cheer his friend, who held him till his end, also tried to cheer his friend, who held him till his end, in 1827.in 1827.

Ode on MelancholyOde on Melancholy No, no! go not to Lethe, neither twistNo, no! go not to Lethe, neither twist

Wolf’s-bane, tight-rooted, for its poisonous Wolf’s-bane, tight-rooted, for its poisonous wine;wine;Nor suffer thy pale forehead to be kissedNor suffer thy pale forehead to be kissedBy nightshade, ruby grape of Proserpine;By nightshade, ruby grape of Proserpine;Make not your rosary of yew-berries,Make not your rosary of yew-berries,Nor let the beetle nor the death-moth beNor let the beetle nor the death-moth beYour mournful Psyche, nor the downy owlYour mournful Psyche, nor the downy owlA partner in your sorrow’s mysteries;A partner in your sorrow’s mysteries;For shade to shade will come too drowsily,For shade to shade will come too drowsily,And drown the wakeful anguish of the soul.And drown the wakeful anguish of the soul.

But when the melancholy fit shall fallBut when the melancholy fit shall fallSudden from heaven like a weeping cloud,Sudden from heaven like a weeping cloud,That fosters the droop-headed flowers all,That fosters the droop-headed flowers all,And hides the green hill in an April shroud;And hides the green hill in an April shroud;Then glut thy sorry on a morning rose,Then glut thy sorry on a morning rose,Or on the rainbow of the salt sand-wave,Or on the rainbow of the salt sand-wave,Or on the wealth of globed peonies;Or on the wealth of globed peonies;Or if thy mistress some rich anger shows,Or if thy mistress some rich anger shows,Emprison her soft hand, and let her rave,Emprison her soft hand, and let her rave,And feed deep, deep upon her peerless eyes.And feed deep, deep upon her peerless eyes.

•She dwells with Beauty – Beauty She dwells with Beauty – Beauty that must die;that must die;And Joy, whose hand is ever at his And Joy, whose hand is ever at his lipslipsBidding adieu; and aching Pleasure Bidding adieu; and aching Pleasure nigh.nigh.Turning to poison while the bee-Turning to poison while the bee-mouth sips;mouth sips;Ay, in the very temple of delightAy, in the very temple of delightVeiled Melancholy has her Sovran Veiled Melancholy has her Sovran shrine,shrine,Though seen of none save him Though seen of none save him whose strenuous tonguewhose strenuous tongueCan burst Joy’s grape against his Can burst Joy’s grape against his palate fine;palate fine;His soul shall taste the sadness of His soul shall taste the sadness of her might,her might,And be among her cloudy trophies And be among her cloudy trophies hung.hung.

Works CitedWorks Cited

http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/5784prmMID/5784

http://www.online-literature.com/keathttp://www.online-literature.com/keats/s/

http://www.mahalo.com/how-to-writehttp://www.mahalo.com/how-to-write-an-ode-poem-an-ode-poem

http://http://www.volecentral.co.uk/vf/ode.htmwww.volecentral.co.uk/vf/ode.htm