Observations of Keats' "Ode on a Grecian Urn"

John Keats' Ode on a Grecian Urn speaks volumes about not just humanity but about the timeless nature of art itself. In fact, it can be said that Ode on a Grecian Urn is a beautiful time capsule of and for humanity.

Unlike a one dimensional photograph or movie, the urn (of so many dimensions, both literal and figurative) bears images of some time lost in history. The urn represents one of the greatest ironies the mind can conceive, for while the people, society, and world that existed when the world the urn was presumably first created no longer exist. Yet, the figures, ideas, and life depicted on the urn still live on the urn as vibrantly as they always have. Also on the urn do we see the idea that the concepts of love, happiness, desire, striving, and hope are timeless ideals that live on with each generation. Indeed, this is precisely what the poem is trying to say. That for all the passage of time, despite the passing of many generations of mankind, in the face of social and philosophical alterations that have changed the course of mankind, people still love. People still pine to be loved. Young men still pursue after the hearts of young women. Music still fills the air. Cities are still the heart of civilizations. Trees still bear green leaves. Just read some of these lines form the poem:

Fair youth, beneath the trees, thou canst not leave
Thy song, nor ever can those trees be bare;
Bold lover, never, never canst thou kiss,
Though winning near goal--yet, do not grieve;
She cannot fade, though thou hast not thy bliss,
For ever wilt thou love, and she be fair! (830)

Like time suspended forever do these lines read. Young love forever young. Young lovers never able to grab the heart of the other but yet forever lusting and pursuing still. What a wonderful concept, to be forever in love and yet never will the romance be dull, for the young man will always be chasing after his intended. Never will the young man lose his energy, resolve, and desire, and never will the young goddess' beauty, attraction, and ability to tug at the young man's heart ever vacate her.