The document provides definitions and summaries for John Keats's poem "Ode on Melancholy". It defines symbols and terms used in the poem. It then summarizes the three stanzas, noting that the first addresses what not to do with melancholy, the second what to focus on, and the third how joy and pain are linked. The main theme is that experiencing joy requires also experiencing melancholy. Literary devices used include metaphor, personification, alliteration, oxymoron and simile.

1. By John Keats
“THE ODE ON MELANCHOLY”

2. Definitions!
 LETHE: In Greek mythology, the river of
forgetfulness, that flows through Hades.
Drinking the water will result in memory loss.
 WOLF’S-BANE & NIGHTSHADE: poisonous
plants that contain a sedative.
 PROSERPINE: Roman goddess; queen of the
underworld.
 YEW-BERRIES: symbol for mourning

3. ...Definitions Continued
 PSYCHE: Roman mythological princess, loved
by Cupid, the god of love. She is often
referred to as, “being to beautiful for her own
good.”
 KIST: Kissed.
 PEONIES: Large flowers with red, white, pink
or yellow blossoms.
 THE BEETLE/DEATH-MOTH/DOWNY OWL:
Symbols of death.

4. Stanza One
 The three stanzas (10 lines each) in the ode
each address different of melancholy.
 First Stanza- Addresses what not to do when
feeling melancholic.
 The speaker forbids forgetting one’s sadness
in, “Lethe (1),” or using, “Wolf’s-Bane...for it’s
poisonous wine ,(2)” to commit suicide.
Focusing on objects of death such as the,
“beetle...death-moth.. Downy owl, (6-7)” and
mourning with a, “rosary of yew-berries,(5)”
are also rejected ways to handle melancholy.

5. Stanza Two
 Second Stanza- brings ideas of what one
should focus on and be surrounded with
when, “melancholy fit shall fall.(11)”
 The speaker urges one to, “Glut thy
sorrow,(15) on beauty. Beauty found on:
“a morning rose/Or on the rainbow of the salt
sand-wave,/Or on the wealth of globed
peonies.(15-17)”

6. Stanza Three
 THE THIRD STANZA- Shows how closely
linked feelings of pain and joy are, as one
cannot exist without the other.
 The speaker insists all beauty comes to an
end and that melancholy is ,”veil’d...in the
temple of delight.(25)”
 If one can, “burst joys grape .../he shall taste
the sadness of her(melancholy’s) might/and
be among her cloudy trophies hung(28-29)”
Meaning that in the centre of overwhelming
feelings of joy lay melancholy.

7. Theme of the Ode
 The main theme is that it is impossible to
experience joy unless one has also
experienced melancholy.
 For example the absence of a loved one
intensifies the joy of reuniting as absence
draws the heart fonder.
 Melancholy draws a strong hunger for
happiness and joy.

8. Literary Devices Used..
 Metaphor:
“April Shroud (14)”
 Personification:
“Veil’d melancholy has  Alliteration:
her sovran shrine (26)” “Then glut thy sorrow
on a morning rose (15)”
 OxyMoron:
“aching pleasure (23)”
 Simile:
“but when the
melancholy fit shall
fall/sudden from
heaven like a weeping
cloud (11-12)”

9. FIN