Introduction to Keats' Odes

The Poetry of John Keats: The Odes

In this course, Dr Corinna Russell (University of Cambridge) explores the Odes of John Keats. After an introduction to Keats and his poetry, including a discussion of the ‘Cockney School of Poetry’, we then cover six of Keats’ poems: Ode to Psyche, Ode on Indolence, Ode on a Grecian Urn, Ode to a Nightingale, Ode on Melancholy and To Autumn.

Introduction to Keats' Odes

In this module, we introduce Keats’ odes, thinking in particular about the 1820 volume in which most of the Odes were first published (Lamia, Isabella, the Eve of St Agnes and Other Poems) and the critical reception of Keats and his poetry at this point in his life. In particular, we think about Keats’ association with the so-called ‘Cockney school’ of poetry, as well as this own ideas about poetry in general, and the ode form in particular.