One of my favorite poems so far has been “Ode to a Grecian Urn” by Keats. In it is found a common theme—immortality in art. The desire for immortality through art has been found in many of the poems that we have read so far in response to the fear of death and aging. Though not expressed directly, these author’s writings are a way of living on after death. This fear of death and the desire for immortality is found not only in both of Keats’ poems that we read, but also in Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 73”.
What I thought was interesting about “Ode on a Grecian Urn” was that he is longing to be immortal and happy as the images on the urn are, but he is also immortalizing himself through his poetry. In a way, the urn is a metaphor for poetry in general. Some tell stories of young lovers and peaceful cities whose images live on as long as the poetry still exists. Also, urns are beautiful creations that eventually hold the ashes of the dead. This can also be compared to how a poem expresses the author’s style and point of view even once he dies. A part of that author will always be with the poem, will be found inside the poem.
What I thought was interesting about “Ode on a Grecian Urn” was that he is longing to be immortal and happy as the images on the urn are, but he is also immortalizing himself through his poetry. In a way, the urn is a metaphor for poetry in general. Some tell stories of young lovers and peaceful cities whose images live on as long as the poetry still exists. Also, urns are beautiful creations that eventually hold the ashes of the dead. This can also be compared to how a poem expresses the author’s style and point of view even once he dies. A part of that author will always be with the poem, will be found inside the poem.
2 comments:
Many of the poems we have read ARE about death! Subconsciously I and probably everyone is noticing the theme of death throughout the poetry we are reading. Like you pointed out, death is related to being forgotten, and the authors' way of preserving themselves through time is by writing. I agree with you; the urn is a piece of artwork like poetry that encapsulates the story its creator wanted to pass on, like a voice from the past.
I sometimes wonder, after having read three weeks worth of poems, whether authors decide to write poetry because they are afraid that no one will erect a monument to them when they die, so they better make their own. Certain authors, like Keats, are enamored with anything that is ongoing, be it an inanimate object, a natural cycle, or a species. It seems like you have to have a bit of an ego to make it in the world of poetry.
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