Keats usually drew his inspiration from two sources; Greek Art and Medieval Romance. His acquaintance with the Elgin marbles and familiarity with Grecian urns inspired his famous poem “Ode on a Grecian Urn”. Greek art with its belief in absolute perfection of form fascinated him. The word “urn” is an attractive one, and full of artistic significance, but Keats wanted to bring the very presence of Greece here, and therefore uses the word “Grecian” in the title itself. He preferred this term to “Greek” because the latter signifies Greek language and the citizens of that great civilization. “Arcadia” (known as the Switzerland of Greece) and “Tempe” (a synonym for a valley with cold shades and romantic scenery) are referred to by the poet as scenes pictured on the urn. The sacrifice mentioned in the poem also is a common feature of Greek religion. The word “Attic” in the concluding stanza again takes us to Athens, the centre of Greek civilization.
00217--Keats’ concept of Hellenism as revealed in the poem “Ode on a Grecian Urn”. [English Literature free notes]
Keats usually drew his inspiration from two sources; Greek Art and Medieval Romance. His acquaintance with the Elgin marbles and familiarity with Grecian urns inspired his famous poem “Ode on a Grecian Urn”. Greek art with its belief in absolute perfection of form fascinated him. The word “urn” is an attractive one, and full of artistic significance, but Keats wanted to bring the very presence of Greece here, and therefore uses the word “Grecian” in the title itself. He preferred this term to “Greek” because the latter signifies Greek language and the citizens of that great civilization. “Arcadia” (known as the Switzerland of Greece) and “Tempe” (a synonym for a valley with cold shades and romantic scenery) are referred to by the poet as scenes pictured on the urn. The sacrifice mentioned in the poem also is a common feature of Greek religion. The word “Attic” in the concluding stanza again takes us to Athens, the centre of Greek civilization.
