Essay Questions:

1) The poem “Ode on Melancholy” builds its entire theme on

an apparent paradox—that pleasure and pain are
intimately connected and that sadness rests at the core of
joy. How does the language of “Melancholy” strengthen
that sense of paradox?

2) Keats has been called a poet of the senses. To what extent

is Keats’ appeal to the senses an integral part of Ode on
Melancholy?

3) ‘His poems reflect his personal circumstances. Death was

always a part of his life.’ To what extent does Ode on
Melancholy reflect his awareness of mortality and the
transitory nature of life?

4) Paying close attention to the effects of the writing, discuss

the poem, showing what it contributes to your
understanding of Keats’s poetic methods and concerns.