In a typical sense, a reader of poetry will only come to truly appreciate a poem, once he or she has managed by some degree, to obtain a sense of conquest over the disorder, meaningless, and enigma which characterises most forms of poetry. However it is quite often the case that the reader is unable to fully explore and comprehend a poem , while at times even unaware that it has anything more to offer than what is literally written on the page - an oversight that quite commonly can be attributed to having a limited understanding to the context of the poem. For the purposes of this assignment, the term "context" not only refers to the specific historical period, but also to the cultural, political, literary and artistic contexts by which poetry is written.
Throughout the course of this essay I will focus specifically on three poems; "An Horatian Ode" by Andrew Marvell, "The Rose" by William Carlos Williams and The "Botticellian Trees", written again by William Carlos Williams. I have deliberately selected these poems on the basis that they each afford the reader with a greater sense of appreciation for the poem as a result of being aware of their individual and differing forms of contexts.
To begin, I will first look at Andrew Marvell's politically and historically shrewd poem, "An Horatian Ode upon Cromwell's return from Ireland". The poem, as the title would suggest, is an alleged tribute, honouring and welcoming Oliver Cromwell home from his conquest of Ireland. In addition to praising and acknowledging Cromwell as a good leader, Marvell injects a somewhat subtle use of ambiguity and irony, which deliberately interweave in order to delineate his subjection of Ireland during the 1650's. Upon a preliminary reading of the poem, that is to say, a reading whereby a critical deconstruction is not established, one could perhaps be forgiven for the assumption that the poem has little additional subtexts or meaning other than to literally pay respect to Cromwell.
An ode? An ode can be defined as "a lyric poem characterized by lofty feeling and dignified style" (Guralnik 397). John Keats, a well-respected poet of the late 1700's, early 1800's is known for the Odes he has written. ... ([Ode] 3.21), "More happy love!" ([Ode] 3.25). ...
Horation Alger Jr. wrote Ragged Dick Or, Street Life in New York with the Bootblacks in 1868. Alger recreates the story of a boy and his life as a boot black in the streets of New York City in the 19th century. While telling this story, Alger addresses some of the major issues in society. One was...
His poetry is characterized by lots of imagery and a series of odes. ... In his short life, Keats composed some of the most beautiful poems which include six great odes written in 1819, two years before his death: Ode on Indolence, Ode on a Grecian Urn, Ode on Melancholy, Ode to a Nightingale, Ode to Psyche, and To Autumn. The odes stand alone but they all explore many of the same themes, remarkably intertwining with each other. ... Ode to a Nightingale is considered as a very beautiful poem authored by John Keats. It is a brilliantly written ode that explores the power of imagination and the...
John Keats expresses his feelings on many matters of the complex world in which he lived in two of his poems, "Ode to a Nightingale" and "Ode on a Grecian Urn". ... Within these two odes, Keats suggests that life in his time was full of suffering, sorrow, and pain. ... In "Ode on a Grecian Urn" the speaker begins by asking many questions directly towards an aged urn. ... In "Ode on a Grecian Urn" the urn itself is a symbol for life. ... The music in "Ode on a Grecian Urn" also represents beauty. ...
"Ode to a Nightingale" Analysis Essay Humans have been in search of ways to escape the harsh cruelties of life throughout our existence. In the poem, "Ode to a Nightingale," written by John Keats, the speaker attempts to use a nightingale as a means of escaping the realities of human life. ... Each verse of "Ode to a Nightingale" has a rhyme scheme ABABCDECDE. ...
This choral ode serves to show how the townspeople feel towards the gods, the plague, and the accusations made against Oedipus. ... As the choral ode progresses, it is seen that the people still have faith in their honored king, despite what the prophet has said. Sophocles begins the ode with a series of rhetorical questions that serve to immediately start a discussion between the townspeople. The use of rhetorical questions also sets the tone for the first half of the ode to be empowered with rage towards the gods. ... In the second half of the choral ode, there is a significant change in ton...
The Death of the Human Spirit in "Harlem" and "Ode on a Grecian Urn" Although Langston Hughes's "Harlem" and John Keats" "Ode on a Grecian Urn" were written about 130 years apart and they differ in their structure, they seem to share a similar underlying theme. ... To the reader, it is fairly clear to see in Hughes's "Harlem" whereas in Keats" "Ode on a Grecian Urn", the reader has to look beyond the outer layer of the poets words. ... The poem "Ode on a Grecian Urn" leaves the reader with the impression of a spiritual death. ... As for the questions in Keats "Ode on a Grec...
APPRECIATION OF JOHN KEATS" "ODE TO AUTUMN" "Ode To Autumn" is a compelling, influential and inspirational poem that many critics have considered to be one of the most impeccably written poems in its time. With Keats" articulate and lucid imagination, "Ode To Autumn" is brought to life with descriptive and illustrative impressions of the season accumulated into this one ode. ... The main theme running throughout "Ode To Autumn" is the beauty of the season (although there are other themes). ... The second stanza of "Ode To Autumn" immediately captures the reader with the rhetorical question...
