Ode on a Grecian Urn

     The central theme of Ode on a Grecian Urn is to address art and its critics, specifically through representational art. This form of art functions through expressing facets of the piece symbolically, just as the narrator describes the activities depicted on urn over a series of stanzas.  While this poem itself is representational art, it is important to note that the urn in the poem itself is not the piece of representation. The urn serves as a means to describe the relationship between art and humanity, as portrayed through the cheerful scenes the narrator interprets. 

     Keats is addressing art and its ability to give permanence to reality, as depicted through the urn. The people that have been portrayed on urn are trapped in time, almost in some sort of art version of Limbo. These people of the urn are seemingly happy, but they will never attain what they desire. The women being chased by the men will always remain young and beautiful, but they will also never be courted. While the music will play on forever, the lover will never receive the kiss they so desperately crave. These people will never deal with the dismal aftermath of love, but they will also never get to experience the joy they may find from experiencing love. By being trapped inside the art, viewers are able to appreciate desirable aspects of life before reality sets in and they become undesirable.

     The final three lines of the poem seem to support this idea, as stated in line 49 with “beauty is truth.” We are aware that is not always the case in real life, but it bolsters the argument Keats wishes to make in the connection between art and humanity. To Keats, the "truth" here is these timeless scenes of happiness that he wishes for. Nonetheless, these lines still feel like an afterthought to the poem. It is as if they are a Hail Mary to perk up an otherwise melancholy ending to the poem.

      As for the narrator of the poem, I am left feeling a bit aggravated by their role in the “story” they are telling through the urn. All we know of this unnamed narrator is that they are standing before the urn, which is conveyed in the opening lines as they marvel at the piece before they provide us with visuals. Who is this person admiring and subconsciously critiquing the urn? Is it Keats? Is it some other third party? It is entirely possible that this does not even matter, as they only exist to portray the art on the urn. (Or perhaps I am the only individual bothered by this)

1. Are the final lines of the poem necessary?

2. Do you agree that the poem is about art, and its interaction with its audience/humanity?

3.  Do you have any thoughts on the narration? Does the anonymous viewer/speaker possibly add or detract from the poem?