ANALYZING LITERATURE THROUGH SHIFTS

Try to find at least TWO for each shift

Devices may include Diction, Point of View, Tone, Figurative Language, Imagery, Syntax,
Sound, Selection of Detail, Repetition, Opposition, etc.
EVIDENCE Direct quotation from the text.
OBSERVATIONS Conclusions you draw about what the speaker says, does, etc.
SHIFTS USE AS MANY (OR AS FEW) AS NEEDED. FEEL FREE TO ADD MORE TO THIS CHART
(COPY & PASTE)

FINALLY . . . WHAT ABSTRACT NOUN BEST DESCRIBES THE SUBJECT OF THE

POEM? WHAT IS THE AUTHOR SAYING ABOUT IT?

Andrew Zhan, Gary Zhao, Charlie Yu, Ashwin Rajgopal

Ode On a Grecian Urn by John Keats
Poetry Music Video
Line 6
Tone Shift
Change in Syntax (Rhetorical Questions)
Thou still unravish'd bride of quietness (1)
In Tempe or the dales of Arcady? (7)
In the opening phrases, John Keats begins his Ode entranced. He marvels at the ancient and
eternal qualities of the urn. In line 6 there is a shift in tone from this state of wonder into a
state of questioning. Through rhetoric questions he speaks directly to the urn itself allowing
for him to develop a connection with it.
Tone Shift
Change in Rhyme Scheme
First four line of the stanza follows an ABAB rhyme scheme. At line 5, the rhyme scheme
breaks. This pattern change further contrasts the first and second part of the stanza and thus
making the tone shift of wonder to questioning more apparent.

Line 10
Tone Shift
Change Syntax
Lines before are filled with rhetorical questions: What men or gods are these? (8)
Lines after are full of descriptive and imaginative imagery: Heard melodies are sweet, but those
unheard (11)
From contemplation, Keats transitions into a state of full immersion of the scenes on the
Grecian Urn. He uses his active imagination to depict a scene using pleasant diction such as
fair youth (15) and soft pipes (12) thus creating a pleasant tone. This diction choice shows
Keats initial perspective on the urn; he glorifies the beauty of youth.
Here there is natural shift: the end of line ten marks the end of the strophe. When performed
in ancient times, the chorus would move from right of stage to left.

Line 25
Tone Shift
Change in Diction
A burning forehead, and a parching tongue. (30)
Tone Shift
Repetition
Ah, happy, happy boughs! that cannot shed(21)
More happy love! more happy, happy love!(25)
The sarcastic repetition of the word happy illustrates the meaningless pursuit of the maiden
chase. Keats is quick to note that the pursuit of the maiden only leads to a burning
forehead and parched tongue. The mocking tone that is established reveals the complexity
of the ode. Keats suggests that acquisition of love is frivolous thus developing the notion that
lifes pursuit are futile.

Lines 10- 35 are part of the antistrophe. In an ode the antistrophe is where the complexity
lies. From his original stance of gloried eternity John Keats continues on his philosophical
journey as he realizes the meaninglessness of human passion.

Line 31
Change in imagery (scenes on urn) and Syntax
Uses contrasting imagery
Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard (11)
Why thou art desolate (40)
In the second stanza John Keats uses his imagination to hear beautiful,unheard melodies from
the piper. However, in the fourth stanza Keats uses his imagination to visualize a town during
a sacrifice; the town is empty and desolate. This contrast in imagery furthers John Keats
journey. The desolation of the town reflects the end product of life; at the end physical life
fades and becomes empty and meaningless. This ultimately creates a darker, colder tone.

Line 41
Here there is natural shift: The beginning of line 41 starts the final stanza (the Epode). The
Chorus meets in the center of the stage to deliver the final lines.
Tone Shift
Change in Syntax
O Attic shape! (41)
Cold Pastoral! (45)
The narrator is no longer looking at the images of the urn but rather at the urn itself. The sudden appearances of
exclamation marks signals the energy of Keats rising as he comes to his final conclusion.

Line 49
Tone Shift
Change in narrator
When old age shall this generation waste,
Thou shalt remain, in midst of other woe (46-47)
"Beauty is truth, truth beauty (49)
Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know." (50)
In line 49, it transitions from Keatss narration into a concluding line spoken by the urn
itself. This final quote addresses the complexity of the ode. In lines 46-47, Keats comments on
how physical life will eventual go to waste and fade and in line 49 the urn (with its eternal
nature) confirms the eternity of that cycle. However, the eternity of the urn itself and its
picture of youth and beauty emphasize the glory of the journey of life during youth while
making the end product of life-death- apparent.