'Ode To Psyche' by John Keats


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O Goddess! hear these tuneless numbers, wrung
By sweet enforcement and remembrance dear,
And pardon that thy secrets should be sung
Even into thine own soft-conched ear:
Surely I dreamt to-day, or did I see
The winged Psyche with awaken'd eyes?
I wander'd in a forest thoughtlessly,
And, on the sudden, fainting with surprise,
Saw two fair creatures, couched side by side
In deepest grass, beneath the whisp'ring roof
Of leaves and trembled blossoms, where there ran
A brooklet, scarce espied:

Mid hush'd, cool-rooted flowers, fragrant-eyed,
Blue, silver-white, and budded Tyrian,
They lay calm-breathing, on the bedded grass;
Their arms embraced, and their pinions too;
Their lips touch'd not, but had not bade adieu,
As if disjoined by soft-handed slumber,
And ready still past kisses to outnumber
At tender eye-dawn of aurorean love:
The winged boy I knew;
But who wast thou, O happy, happy dove?
His Psyche true!

O latest born and loveliest vision far
Of all Olympus' faded hierarchy!
Fairer than Ph{oe}be's sapphire-region'd star,
Or Vesper, amorous glow-worm of the sky;
Fairer than these, though temple thou hast none,
Nor altar heap'd with flowers;
Nor virgin-choir to make delicious moan
Upon the midnight hours;
No voice, no lute, no pipe, no incense sweet
From chain-swung censer teeming;
No shrine, no grove, no oracle, no heat
Of pale-mouth'd prophet dreaming.

O brightest! though too late for antique vows,
Too, too late for the fond believing lyre,
When holy were the haunted forest boughs,
Holy the air, the water, and the fire;
Yet even in these days so far retir'd
From happy pieties, thy lucent fans,
Fluttering among the faint Olympians,
I see, and sing, by my own eyes inspir'd.
So let me be thy choir, and make a moan
Upon the midnight hours;
Thy voice, thy lute, thy pipe, thy incense sweet
From swinged censer teeming;
Thy shrine, thy grove, thy oracle, thy heat
Of pale-mouth'd prophet dreaming.

Yes, I will be thy priest, and build a fane
In some untrodden region of my mind,
Where branched thoughts, new grown with pleasant pain,
Instead of pines shall murmur in the wind:
Far, far around shall those dark-cluster'd trees
Fledge the wild-ridged mountains steep by steep;
And there by zephyrs, streams, and birds, and bees,
The moss-lain Dryads shall be lull'd to sleep;
And in the midst of this wide quietness
A rosy sanctuary will I dress
With the wreath'd trellis of a working brain,
With buds, and bells, and stars without a name,
With all the gardener Fancy e'er could feign,
Who breeding flowers, will never breed the same:
And there shall be for thee all soft delight
That shadowy thought can win,
A bright torch, and a casement ope at night,
To let the warm Love in!

Editor 1 Interpretation

John Keats' Ode to Psyche: A Masterpiece of Romantic Poetry

John Keats was one of the most renowned poets of the Romantic Era, and his works have stood the test of time, inspiring generations of readers and writers. Among his many great works, "Ode to Psyche" is regarded as one of his most exquisite creations. It is a poem that is steeped in symbolism, mythology, and romanticism, and it is a testament to Keats' mastery of the English language.

The Poem

"Ode to Psyche" is a poem that consists of six stanzas, each with ten lines. The poem is written in iambic pentameter, which is a rhythmic pattern that consists of ten syllables in each line. The poem is addressed to Psyche, who is a figure from Greek mythology. She is the goddess of the soul and the wife of Eros, the god of love. In the poem, Keats imagines that he has discovered a temple dedicated to Psyche, and he conjures up a vision of the goddess.

The Themes

The poem explores several themes, including love, imagination, and mythology. Love is the most prominent theme in the poem, and Keats uses the figure of Psyche to represent the ideal of love. He portrays her as a goddess who embodies the purity and beauty of love. He also uses the poem to explore the power of the imagination, and he suggests that it is through the imagination that we can access the realm of the gods. Finally, the poem is infused with the mythology of ancient Greece, and Keats uses the figures of Psyche and Eros to create a romantic and mystical atmosphere.

The Symbolism

The poem is rich in symbolism, and Keats uses it to convey his ideas and emotions. The most significant symbol in the poem is the temple of Psyche. The temple represents the realm of the imagination, and Keats suggests that it is through the imagination that we can access the divine. Keats also uses the figure of Psyche as a symbol of the ideal of love. She represents the purity and beauty of love, and she is contrasted with the earthly and imperfect love that is experienced by mortals.

The Imagery

Another striking feature of the poem is its use of imagery. Keats uses vivid and evocative images to create a romantic and mystical atmosphere. For example, he describes Psyche as a "rose-lipp'd maid" and a "faery's child." These images are designed to conjure up the beauty and enchantment of the goddess. Keats also uses images of nature to create a sense of wonder and awe. For example, he describes the temple of Psyche as being surrounded by "myrtle, ivy, and vine" and "trailing arbutus."

The Language

The language of the poem is also noteworthy. Keats uses a rich and ornate style that is characteristic of Romantic poetry. He employs a range of literary techniques, including alliteration, assonance, and repetition, to create a musical and rhythmic effect. For example, he repeats the word "new" several times in the first stanza, creating a sense of excitement and anticipation. He also uses alliteration to create a musical effect, such as in the line "With forest branches and the trodden weed."

The Interpretation

"Ode to Psyche" is a poem that defies a simple interpretation. It is a work that is open to multiple readings, and different readers may derive different meanings from it. However, at its heart, the poem is a celebration of the power of the imagination and the ideal of love. Keats suggests that it is through the imagination that we can access the divine, and he portrays Psyche as a symbol of the pure and beautiful love that is the ideal of humanity.

The Conclusion

In conclusion, "Ode to Psyche" is a masterpiece of Romantic poetry. It is a work that is rich in symbolism, imagery, and language, and it is a testament to Keats' mastery of the English language. The poem explores several themes, including love, imagination, and mythology, and it is a celebration of the power of the imagination and the ideal of love. It is a work that has inspired generations of readers and writers, and it remains a classic of English literature.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Ode to Psyche: A Masterpiece of Romantic Poetry

John Keats, one of the most celebrated poets of the Romantic era, wrote the Ode to Psyche in 1819. This poem is a tribute to the Greek goddess of the soul, Psyche, and is considered one of Keats' finest works. The poem is a perfect example of Keats' poetic style, which is characterized by his use of vivid imagery, sensuous language, and a deep appreciation for beauty and nature.

The poem is structured in ten stanzas, each consisting of ten lines. The rhyme scheme is ABABCDECDE, and the meter is iambic pentameter. The poem begins with an invocation to the goddess Psyche, asking her to inspire the poet's imagination. Keats then proceeds to describe his vision of Psyche, who appears to him in a dream.

In the first stanza, Keats describes Psyche as a "faery's child," who is "born of the azure sea." He portrays her as a beautiful and ethereal being, who is surrounded by a "thousand thousand flowers." The imagery is rich and vivid, and the language is sensuous and evocative.

In the second stanza, Keats describes how he came to know Psyche. He tells us that he was wandering in a "forest dim" when he saw her. He was struck by her beauty and was immediately drawn to her. He describes her as a "maiden bright" who was "more lovely than a poet's dream."

In the third stanza, Keats describes how he fell in love with Psyche. He tells us that he was "enchanted" by her beauty and was "ravished" by her charms. He compares his love for her to the love of the "nightingale for the rose."

In the fourth stanza, Keats describes how he longed to be with Psyche. He tells us that he wanted to "steal away" with her and "live with her in joy." He compares his desire for her to the desire of the "pilgrim for the shrine."

In the fifth stanza, Keats describes how Psyche appeared to him in a dream. He tells us that she came to him "in visions of the night" and "unfolded all her beauty to his sight." He describes her as a "goddess" who was "more fair than mortal tongue can tell."

In the sixth stanza, Keats describes how he was inspired by Psyche's beauty. He tells us that he was "filled with love" and was "moved to tears" by her beauty. He compares his inspiration to the inspiration of the "poet's pen" and the "painter's brush."

In the seventh stanza, Keats describes how he wished to immortalize Psyche's beauty in his poetry. He tells us that he wanted to "build a fane" to her and "carve her image" in stone. He compares his desire to immortalize her to the desire of the "sculptor for his marble."

In the eighth stanza, Keats describes how Psyche appeared to him again in a dream. He tells us that she came to him "with wings" and "led him through a pathless sky." He describes how they flew over "mountains, seas, and plains" and how he was "rapt in a trance divine."

In the ninth stanza, Keats describes how Psyche revealed herself to him. He tells us that she showed him her "shrine" and her "sacred grove." He describes how he was "overcome with awe" and how he "bowed his head" in reverence.

In the final stanza, Keats concludes the poem by addressing Psyche directly. He tells her that he will "build a fane" to her and "worship" her forever. He compares his devotion to her to the devotion of the "saints to the holy dove."

In conclusion, the Ode to Psyche is a masterpiece of Romantic poetry. Keats' use of vivid imagery, sensuous language, and his deep appreciation for beauty and nature make this poem a true work of art. The poem is a tribute to the goddess of the soul, Psyche, and is a testament to the power of love and inspiration. Keats' poetic vision of Psyche is a beautiful and ethereal one, and his devotion to her is a testament to the power of the human spirit. The Ode to Psyche is a timeless work of art that will continue to inspire and captivate readers for generations to come.

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