Analysis Of Ode To Melancholy By John Keats

The poem “Ode to Melancholy” by John Keats is laden with complex meaning and symbolism. The Ode uses metaphor and images, referencing everything from nature to mythology. The poem is structured into three stanzas consisting of ten lines, each stanza brings us closer to understanding the poems paradox. Through doing a New Critical Analysis I will investigate images and explore the organic unity of the work.

Looking at concepts of light and dark along with the use of literal poison, the poem explores the importance of binaries and how death itself can bring meaning to life. The poem begins with an immediate reference to Greek mythology. “The Lythe” (I, 1) is a river from Greek mythology that brings forgetfulness to those who come in contact with it. This forgetfulness is mirrored in the mention of Wolfe’s-Bane also known as Monkshood, which was typically drank as method of pain relief. This plant also has properties that make it extremely deadly if ingested. Images of death and forgetfulness continue throughout the first stanza. The line that speaks of “nightshade, ruby grape of Proserpine” (I, 3) references to the afterlife and death, because of the Proserpine’s affiliation to Hades. Nightshade is yet another poisonous plant. We see a recurring image of death as an escape, this implies that we cannot escape our pain through death. The text seems to be saying “No, no, go not to Lethe” (I, 1) to forget your “wakeful anguish” (I, 10) and do not use a substance to numb the feeling. This stanza has a continuity that uses mythological figures, as well as poisonous plants to create a specific tone of darkness. The mention of a rosary made from yew-berry; another poisonous plant; indicates a romantic notion of death. The text seems to indicate that the person in context may be wishing for death, or perhaps worships the idea of death. The mention of Psyche and the owl as “a partner in your sorrow’s mysteries” (I, 8) is attuned with the rest of the stanza.

The owl is another symbol associated with death and Psyche could symbolize suffering due to her complex story of love and loss. This shows organic unity throughout the first stanza that is continued into the second stanza. The metaphors used in this part of the poem reference heavily to nature, which appears frequently as a recurring theme.

The mention of melancholy falling like rain from the sky, helps to emulate the way comes in a wave similarly to a wave of rain. The notion of a cloud or fog that “hides the green hill in an April shroud” (II, 4) emphasizes how melancholy can hide beauty. This also brings in the concept of passing time with the mention of seasons. April is known for its heavy rainfall and depressing gloomy attributes, but it is also a season of growth. This brings to focus one of the main themes of the poem; with suffering comes growth. The first stanza indicates that it does not want us to dull our pain or give up because of it, instead it asks us to endure it. This is mirrored in the second stanza when the anger of the mistress is to be listened to attentively. This acts as almost a guide on how to get through melancholy.