In English, an ode is much-practiced form of lyric poetry from the time of Ben Johnson to that of Tennyson, with sporadic modern revivals. in its traditional application, ‘ode’ is a type of long lyric poem, usually addressed to a particular subject that is serious in treatment, elevated in style, and often expressing deep feeling or admiration. It originates from ancient Greece, and mostly elevated and complicated species of lyric, was often written to celebrate monumental public occasions or universal themes.
The regular or Pindaric ode:
It is named after the Greek poet Pinder and was used to
celebrate athletic victories. In English, the Pindaric ode is a close imitation
of Pindar’s form, which has a formal structure, with all the strophes and
antistrophes written in one stanza pattern, and all the epodes in another. This
form was introduced into England by Ben Jonson’s ode “to the Immortal Memory
and Friendship of that Noble Pair, Sir Lucius Cary and Sir H. Morison “(1629).
The typical construction can be conveniently studied in this poem or Thomas
Gray’s “The Progress of Poetry” (1757).
Horatian Ode:
The Horatian ode was originally modeled on the matter, tone,
and form of the odes of the Roman Horace. It was named after the Roman poet Horace; it
is more expressive and personal, with a consistent stanza pattern. Many Horatian
odes are calm, meditative, and colloquial; they are also usually homotropic
(written in a single repetitive stanza form) and shorter than the Pindaric ode.
Marvell’s “A Horatian Ode upon Cromwell’s Return from Ireland” (1650) and Keats’
ode “To Autumn” (1820) are examples of the Horatian odes.
Irregular Ode:
The irregular ode, also called the Cowleyan Ode, was
introduced in 1656 by Abraham Cowley, who imitated the Pindaric style and matter
but had no set structure or rhyme scheme, allowing poets more freedom. So, it
is the most common English ode ever since. Wordsworth’s “Ode: Intimation of
Immortality” (1807) is an example of an irregular ode.
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