“Mutability” and “A Defence of Poetry” by Percy Bysshe Shelley Answers

Read the analysis of a theme from "Ode on a Grecian Urn."One theme in "Ode on a Grecian Urn" is that art is an eternal and unchanging truth.Now, read the passage from "Ozymandias," another poem from the Romantic period.And on the pedestal these words appear:"My name is Ozymandias, king of kings:Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!"Nothing beside remains. Round the decayOf that colossal wreck, boundless and bareThe lone and level sands stretch far away.

Read the analysis of a theme from "Ode on a Grecian Urn."One theme in "Ode on a Grecian Urn" is that art is an eternal and unchanging truth.Now, read the passage from Keats's poem "On Seeing the Elgin Marbles."So do these wonders a most dizzy pain,That mingles Grecian grandeur with the rudeWasting of old Time—with a billowy main—A sun—a shadow of a magnitude.

Read the analysis of a theme from "Ode on a Grecian Urn."One theme in "Ode on a Grecian Urn" is that art is an eternal and unchanging truth.Now, read the passage from "Solitary Reaper," another poem from the Romantic period.Whate'er the theme, the Maiden sangAs if her song could have no ending;I saw her singing at her work,And o'er the sickle bending;—I listen'd, motionless and still;And, as I mounted up the hill,The music in my heart I bore,Long after it was heard no more.

Read the passage from "Ode on a Grecian Urn."Ah, happy, happy boughs! that cannot shedYour leaves, nor ever bid the Spring adieu;And, happy melodist, unwearied,For ever piping songs for ever new

Read the passage from "Ode on a Grecian Urn."Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheardAre sweeter; therefore, ye soft pipes, play on;Not to the sensual ear, but, more endear'd,Pipe to the spirit ditties of no tone

Read the passage from "Ode on a Grecian Urn."And, happy melodist, unwearied,For ever piping songs for ever new; More happy love! more happy, happy love!For ever warm and still to be enjoy'd,For ever panting, and for ever young

The first step a reader should take to determine a theme in "Ode on a Grecian Urn" is to

Read the statement from a paper comparing Keats's poem "Ode on a Grecian Urn" and "On Seeing the Elgin Marbles."While the message in "Ode on a Grecian Urn" is that art is an eternal and unchanging truth, the message in "On Seeing the Elgin Marbles" is that art changes over time.

Read the excerpt from the poem "On Seeing the Elgin Marbles" by John Keats.Such dim-conceived glories of the brainBring round the heart an indescribable feud;So do these wonders a most dizzy pain,That mingles Grecian grandeur with the rudeWasting of old Time—with a billowy main—A sun—a shadow of a magnitude.

Read the passage from "Ode on a Grecian Urn."Who are these coming to the sacrifice?To what green altar, O mysterious priest,Lead'st thou that heifer lowing at the skies,And all her silken flanks with garlands drest?What little town by river or sea shore,Or mountain-built with peaceful citadel,Is emptied of this folk, this pious morn?And, little town, thy streets for evermoreWill silent be; and not a soul to tellWhy thou art desolate, can e'er return.