Keats’ Being Impressed by the Greek Beauty:
Keats is highly impressed by the Greek beauty of the urn. It is a model creation of true beauty which is never decayed by the passing of time. The poet makes a myth of its long - lasting beauty that the urn is a bride of quietness. It is a unique quality of this bride that her chastity is still unravished. She is yet a virgin. He imagines that the urn is foster - child of silence and slow - time: the two most destructive forces in the world which decay even massy iron built gates and huge mountains. They have spared the urn from decay perhaps because of their foster love for it.
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| Poetic Thought of the Poem Ode on A Grecian Urn by Keats |
"Thou still unravish'd bride of quietness,
Thou foster - child of silence and slow time.”
Two Diverse Pictures of Ancient Times:
There are two diverse pictures engraved on the urn. The pictures expose the romantic and the traditional view of ancient times. It is in this regard, Keats calls the urn a Sylvan historian who is able to present tales of the bygone days in a better way than a poet. The pot is decorated with engraved leaves and flowers. The poet is curious to know much about the pictures.
“Sylvan historian, who canst thus express
A flowery tale more sweetly than our rhyme;
What leaf - fring'd legend haunts about thy shape
Of deities or mortals, or of both,
In Tempe or the dales of Arcady?”
The Scenes of Two Pictures:
The poet wants to know of the figures belong to human race of gods and goddesses. The first picture presents a romantic scene of natural beauty in which a piper is singing songs and a lover is trying to kiss his beloved who is not willing for it. In the second picture a calf is being led for sacrifice, drums are being beaten. The poet asks if the vale of Tempe or Arcady is engraved in the pictures or an imaginary place is depicted. Thus, the poet arouses the reader's curiosity in the poem.
“What men or gods are these? What maidens loth?
What mad pursuit? What struggle to escape?
What pipes and timbrels? What wild ecstasy?”
Immortality of the Songs of the Piper:
He regards the songs of the piper, engraved on the urn, as better than songs produced by living human beings. Day to day we are attracted by numberless songs produced by human artists. These songs attract us but for a limited period and then after they begin to tire our mind. While we are not able to hear the sound of songs produced by the piper engraved on the urn. So its freshness can never be stale. But a very high sensibility is required to listen to these songs. These are not to be heard by physical ears but soul. These songs fill soul with true joy . These songs are never stale.
“Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard
Are sweeter; therefore, Ye soft pipes, play on;
Not to the sensual ear, but more endear’d.
Pipe to the spirit ditties of no tone.”
Everlasting Beauty and Freshness of the Pictures:
The blessing of everlasting freshness is enjoyed by the figures engraved on the urn. The handsome young man will never be old. He will never be tired. His songs will always be fresh and the tree will never lose its leaves. Everything engraved on the urn will always remain the same. The lover will never be able to kiss his beloved. But it is not a matter to feel disappointed for the lover's passion will never decline and the beloved will always remain attractive. Their passion will never decay with the passing of time.
“Fair youth, beneath the trees, thou canst not leave
Thy song, nor ever can those trees be bare,
Bold lover, never, never canst thou kiss.
Though winning near the goat - yet do not grieve.
She cannot fade, though thou hast not thy bliss,
For ever thou will love, and she be fair!”
It will always remain warm and passionate. It is superior to human love which is momentary. Human love depends on carnal desires. When once it is fulfilled the sense of surfeit takes place. No more interest is left in repeating the animal action of copulation which leaves the heart sorrowful and fed-up leading to a burning forehead and dry tongue. In the fourth stanza the poet tells about the second picture in which some people come out of their town to sacrifice a young cow decorated in silk and flowers. Here, Keats draws a lively picture of medieval traditions and customs when a mysterious priest leads a calf for sacrifice.
“Who are these coming to the sacrifice?
To what green altar, O mysterious priest
Lead'st thou that heifer lowing at the skies
And all her silken flanks with garland drest?”
Philosophy of Truth and Beauty:
According to Keats, these people shall fall victim to the cow's curse and shall never be able to return home. Their town shall always remain desert. The last stanza brings to light deep philosophy of close association between truth and beauty. One is imperfect without the other. The urn inspires to accept what is eternal for truth is changeless.
“O Attic shape! Fair attitude! with brede
Of marble men and maidens overwrought,
With forest branches and the trodden weed;
Thou, silent form, dost tease us out of thought
As doth eternity;”
Therefore the urn represents true beauty and beautiful truth.
