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Unit 6: Ode on a Grecian Urn by John Keats

Later, To Autumn became amongst the most highly regarded poems in the English language. Notes
Several areas of Keats life and daily routine aren’t described by him. He doesn’t mention much
about his financial straits or his childhood and is apparently embarrassed to discuss about these
topics. There is a total absence of any reference to his parents. In his last year, as his health
worsened, his worries often gave way to hopelessness and morbid obsessions. In 1870, the
publications of letters to Fanny Brawne concentrated on this period and stressed on this tragic
aspect, giving rise to widespread criticism at the time.

6.2 John Keats’s Works

Written in 1819, ‘Ode on a Grecian Urn’ was the third of the five ‘great odes’ of 1819, which are
normally supposed to have been written in the following order – Psyche, Nightingale, Grecian
Urn, Melancholy and Autumn. Of the five, Grecian Urn and Melancholy are simply dated ‘1819’.
Critics have used vague references in Keats’s letters and thematic progression to assign order. In
“Ode on a Grecian Urn,” the poet notices a relic of ancient Greek civilization, an urn painted
with two scenes from Greek life.
Other works of John Keats include:
After dark vapours have oppressed our plains (1817) Addressed to Haydon (1816) text
Addressed to the Same (1816) text

As from the darkening gloom a silver dove (1814)

Bright star, would I were steadfast as thou art (1819) A Song About Myself
Asleep! O sleep a little while, white pearl! text Bards of Passion and of Mirth text
Before he went to live with owls and bats (1817?)

Calidore: A Fragment (1816)

Dedication. To Leigh Hunt, Esq.
The Day Is Gone, and all its Sweets are Gone
Endymion: A Poetic Romance (1817)
Epistle to John Hamilton Reynolds
A Dream, after reading Dante’s Episode of Paolo and Francesca text
A Draught of Sunshine

Epistle to My Brother George
First Love
The Eve of St. Agnes (1819) text
The Eve of Saint Mark

The Fall of Hyperion: A Dream (1819)
Fancy (poem)

Fragment of an Ode to Maia
Fill for me a brimming bowl (1814) text
Give me women, wine, and snuff (1815 or 1816)
God of the golden bow (1816 or 1817)
The Gothic looks solemn (1817)

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