In what ways is 'to Autumn' alike and unlike 'Ode to a nightingale' and
'Ode on Melancholy' which you have also studied?
'To Autumn' does hold a distinct difference to Webster's other poems, however similarities can be found. In first instance, all of the poems in question are odes, all of a serious subject. It is also obvious that 'to autumn' is the only title which does not contain 'ode' in its title. Webster appears to be almost in a different state of mind when creating 'To Autumn' however his style of writing and ways in expressing himself stay constant though out.
'To Autumn' and 'Ode to a Nightingale' hold similarities in the way Webster ends each poem. Webster lays out the structure of acceptance in a similar way, as both endings are about acceptance.
'To Autumn' is accepting death; we see this through the way Webster presents death as a positive. Webster uses positive adjectives before referring to death, such as 'bloom the soft-dying'. 'Bloom' creates the idea of growth and progress which shows that Webster sees death as a necessity to move on. The description of death as 'soft' is a juxtaposition of death, in order to reduce the harshness of death and creates it as being calm and relaxed. This is a clear acceptance of death which is a similar to the acceptance of life in 'Ode to a nightingale'.
'Ode to a Nightingale' finally accepts the human condition through the understanding that life is not such a bad thing. We see this the strongest through 'Thou was no born for death', which is ironic as we are born to then die however Keats here is in realisation that he was born into the world to live despite that 'youth grows pale' or that he will eventually see his 'last grey hairs'. The acceptance of life is in the understanding tat he does not want to and enter 'embalmed darkness'.
'Ode on Melancholy' which you have also studied?
'To Autumn' does hold a distinct difference to Webster's other poems, however similarities can be found. In first instance, all of the poems in question are odes, all of a serious subject. It is also obvious that 'to autumn' is the only title which does not contain 'ode' in its title. Webster appears to be almost in a different state of mind when creating 'To Autumn' however his style of writing and ways in expressing himself stay constant though out.
'To Autumn' and 'Ode to a Nightingale' hold similarities in the way Webster ends each poem. Webster lays out the structure of acceptance in a similar way, as both endings are about acceptance.
'To Autumn' is accepting death; we see this through the way Webster presents death as a positive. Webster uses positive adjectives before referring to death, such as 'bloom the soft-dying'. 'Bloom' creates the idea of growth and progress which shows that Webster sees death as a necessity to move on. The description of death as 'soft' is a juxtaposition of death, in order to reduce the harshness of death and creates it as being calm and relaxed. This is a clear acceptance of death which is a similar to the acceptance of life in 'Ode to a nightingale'.
'Ode to a Nightingale' finally accepts the human condition through the understanding that life is not such a bad thing. We see this the strongest through 'Thou was no born for death', which is ironic as we are born to then die however Keats here is in realisation that he was born into the world to live despite that 'youth grows pale' or that he will eventually see his 'last grey hairs'. The acceptance of life is in the understanding tat he does not want to and enter 'embalmed darkness'.
