“Ode on a Grecian Urn” by John Keats

Journal Topic Permanence vs. Change -Change is an unavoidable part of life. What are some changes that you are currently facing? Think about the next 4 months.

Topic What are some positive aspects of change? Example: I know that change can lead to personal growth. When I graduated from high school I moved to Santa Barbara. I met people from all over the country. I was exposed to different lifestyles and cultures. The change from high school to college gave me new life experiences and ultimately made me a better person. Change is a positive aspect of life because___________.

Historical Background What is a urn?  Urns are antique Greek vases.  Traditionally used as containers or for burial (ashes).  Usually show Gods, Goddess, heros and mortals in a adventure.

What is a Ode?  Text written in praise of or dedicated to someone or something. “Ode to My Family” by the Cranberries “Ode to Joy”- Beethoven

“Ode on a Grecian Urn” there are two scenes  Scene 1  Gods or men pursue maidens in the forest while musicians play.  Mood is exciting.  Scene 2  A crowd of people and priest lead a cow to sacrifice.  Mood is solemn and mournful.

The ending is AMBIGUOUS  Option 1  Is he celebrating the urn as a beautiful, eternal piece of art?  Option 2  Is he commenting on the limitations of art and the need to find fulfillment in living life?

Vocabulary  Flowery (adj.)-full of detailed expressions.  He gave a flowery description of his trip to the Bahamas.

 Sweet (adj.)-pleasing to the senses.  The rose had a sweet perfume.

 Fair (adj.)- pretty, pure  The fair maiden stood by the bridge.

 Bold (adj.)- fearless and brave  The boy took bold action against his bullies.

 Burning (adj.)- on fire, hot.  He was burning up with fever.

 Parching (adj.)- drying  Walking across the desert, the man had a parching tongue.  *“I’m parched” means “I’m thirsty”.

 Silken (adj.)- smooth  Her hair was silken and shiny.

 Desolate (adj.)- deserted, lifeless  I roamed across the desolate desert looking for signs of life.

 Trodden (adj.) walked on  The grass path was trodden.

“Ode on a Grecian Urn”  With your partner read “Before You Read” on Page 191 in IR. Take turns reading paragraphs then answer theses questions by underlining the answers in your IR. 1) What is a metaphor? 2) Give one example of a metaphor used on page ) What is imagery?

First Example of a Metaphor Line 1  “still unravished bride of quietness”  Two things compared: urn, unravished bride.  Ravish-to seize and carry off by force.  Unravished= virgin bride  Keats is comparing the urn to a virgin bride. Meaning the urn has been untouched.  He adds “of quietness” to say the urn has been silent and has been awaiting contact with the world.

Page 192 in your IR  Interpret: underline the following  Still unravished bride of quietness,  Thou foster child of silence and slow time,  Sylvan (of the forest) historian,

Identify this is the ambiguous ending!  Underline: Thou shalt remain  A friend to man  Keats is saying that as time continues (change) the urn will remain (permanence).  Circle: Beauty is truth, truth beauty  Keats implies that the urn will tell mankind that beauty is the only truth.

The ending is AMBIGUOUS  Option 1  Is he celebrating the urn as a eternal piece of art?  Keats is saying that as time continues (change) the urn will remain (permanence).  Option 2  Is he commenting on the limitations of art and the need to find fulfillment in living life?  Keats implies that the urn will tell mankind that beauty is the only truth.