1. Odes

2. Ode Comes from Greek term meaning to sing/chant
Type of lyric poetry – originally accompanied by music
Romantic poets used it to convey their strongest sentiments

3. Ode Formal structure Serious purpose and tone
Follow consistent metrical scheme (except irregular odes)
Serious purpose and tone
Not about humor or frivolity
In celebration or praise of something or someone
Address that person or thing
Types: Pindaric, Horatian, Irregular

4. Pindaric Odes Named for Greek poet Pindar
Performed with a chorus and dancers
Often created to celebrate athletic victories (Olympics)
Traditionally:
3-stanza structure throughout: strophe-antistrophe-epode
Strophe and antistrophe (1st & 2nd) follow same metrical and rhyming patterns
Epode (3rd) features different metrical and rhyming structure

5. Horatian Odes Named for Roman poet Horace
More tranquil and contemplative
Less formal, less ceremonious – quieter and less theatrical
Regular, recurring stanza pattern
Traditionally:
Philosophical, contemplate simple pleasures
Usually quatrains with consistent rhyme scheme and metrical pattern

6. Irregular (English Romantic) Odes
Modifies Horatian and Pindaric forms
Combines stanza irregularity with meditation
Addressed intense emotions, personal crisis, and revelation
Outline revolves around subject development
Describe natural scene and meditate
Consider how scene reminds them of a problem or universal situation
Meditation  insight
Return to original scene with new perspective

7. Elegies Response to death of someone Traditionally:
1) Speaker expresses sorrow and grief (lament)
2) Praise and admiration for the dead
3) Consolation and solace
Also traditionally written in elegaic stanzas
Often lines of iambic pentameter with ABAB rhyme scheme