A Comparative Analysis of Love and Nature in of Keats's 'Ode on a Grecian Urn,'

Christina Rossetti's 'A Birthday,' and Dante Gabriel Rossetti's 'The Blessed Damozel'

Ms. Elakkiya. R, Assistant Professor of English, Nilgiri College of Arts and Science, The
Nilgiris.

Dr. S. Jeyalakshmi, Assistant Professor of English, Hindusthan College of Arts and

Science, Coimbatore.

Abstract:

This comprehensive exploration of Romantic poetry delves into the intertwining themes of
love and nature through the lens of three remarkable poems: John Keats's 'Ode on a Grecian
Urn,' Christina Rossetti's 'A Birthday,' and Dante Gabriel Rossetti's 'The Blessed Damozel.'
Each poem offers a distinct perspective on these themes, illuminating the enduring relevance
of Romantic ideals.

Keats's 'Ode on a Grecian Urn' contemplates love's permanence frozen in art, while Christina
Rossetti's 'A Birthday' celebrates love's vitality amidst the lush embrace of nature. Dante
Gabriel Rossetti's 'The Blessed Damozel' envisions love that transcends the boundary
between life and the afterlife. When analysing their unique stylistic elements, including vivid
imagery and the influence of visual arts, makes them place within the broader context of
Romantic poetry.

When exploring these poems, the reader gains insight into the profound connections between
human emotions and the natural world, reaffirming their enduring significance in our ever-
changing world.

The Romantic era of English literature was a period marked by a profound exploration of
human emotions, particularly the complexities of love, and a deep reverence for the beauty
and power of the natural world. This article undertakes a comprehensive examination of these
themes by analysing three significant poems from the Romantic period: John Keats's 'Ode on
a Grecian Urn,' Christina Rossetti's 'A Birthday,' and Dante Gabriel Rossetti's 'The Blessed
Damozel.' By exploring the intricate interplay of love and nature in these poems, one gains an
insight into how Romantic poets embraced and interpreted these themes in their unique ways.

Keywords: Romantic poetry, Keats, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Christina Rossetti, love, nature
John Keats's 'Ode on a Grecian Urn' is a quintessential example of Romantic poetry that
explores the concept of love through the prism of timeless art. In this ode, Keats addresses the
Grecian urn as a ‘still unravish'd bride of quietness’ and a ‘foster-child of Silence and slow
Time.’ This initial personification of the urn sets the stage for a meditation on the nature of
love and its relationship with the passage of time.

A book on Keats's work is John Keats: The Complete Poems, edited by Jack Stillinger, the
entirety of Keats's poetic output, allowing one to place 'Ode on a Grecian Urn' in the context
of his broader body of work. Keats's belief in the power of art to capture and preserve
moments of beauty, making them immortal, becomes evident when examining his biography,
John Keats: A New Life by Nicholas Roe.

In the poem, the speaker describes the scenes depicted on the urn, which include a group of
young lovers, musicians, and a procession. These scenes are frozen in time and the characters
on the urn will never age or experience change. The speaker marvels at the urn's ability to
capture the essence of these moments and preserve them for eternity.

The central theme of the poem is the contrast between the immortal beauty of art and the
transience of human life. The urn becomes a symbol of permanence and timelessness, while
the human experience is fleeting and filled with suffering. Keats explores the idea that art has
the power to transcend the limitations of mortality and capture the eternal truth of beauty.

Ultimately, ‘Ode on a Grecian Urn’ is a meditation on the nature of art, beauty, and the
human experience, inviting readers to contemplate the relationship between the temporal and
the timeless.

The urn itself becomes a symbol of immortality, as Keats explores the idea that the beauty
and truth it represents are unaffected by the passage of time. For a deeper exploration of the
themes within 'Ode on a Grecian Urn,' one can turn to Christopher R. Miller's scholarly
article, ‘Keats and Embarrassment.’ Miller dissects the complexities of the poem, including
the tension between permanence and transience in love. His analysis reveals how Keats
grapples with the paradox of love's permanence in the face of human mortality.

One of the most celebrated lines in the poem, ‘Beauty is truth, truth beauty,’ encapsulates
Keats's perspective on art and love. This concept is further elucidated in Peter Larkin's work,
Keats and the Sublime. Larkin's analysis delves into Keats's aesthetics and his exploration of
the connection between beauty and truth. Larkin's insights help one understand how Keats
views the urn as a vessel for eternal truth, making it a timeless emblem of love.

Christina Rossetti, a Victorian poet profoundly influenced by Romantic ideals, offers a

contrasting perspective on love and nature in her poem 'A Birthday.' In this poem, the
speaker's heart is described as ‘like a singing bird,’ and the verses are teeming with vivid
imagery of nature. This immediate and joyous portrayal of love stands in stark contrast to
Keats's frozen tableau on the urn.

The Selected Poems, edited by David A. Kent presents its readers with a selection of
Rossetti's poetry, including 'A Birthday.' It is essential to examine the biography of Rossetti
as well, and Christina Rossetti: A Literary Biography by Jan Marsh offers valuable insights
into her life and influences. Marsh's work helps readers comprehend the passionate
celebration of love in Rossetti's poetry.

‘A Birthday’ is a joyous celebration of love and the overwhelming happiness it brings. The
speaker in the poem expresses the boundless joy and anticipation they feel as they compare
their heart to a ‘singing bird’ and their love to a ‘red rose.’ The vivid imagery of nature,
including references to an ‘apple tree’ and ‘grass,’ paints a picture of a lush and vibrant
world.

The poem exudes a sense of immediacy and vitality, as the speaker eagerly anticipates the
arrival of their beloved. The love portrayed in the poem is passionate and full of life, and it is
closely intertwined with the beauty of the natural world.

‘A Birthday’ is a lyrical and exuberant expression of love, capturing the intense emotions and
the sense of renewal that love can bring. It is a celebration of the present moment and the joy
of being in love.

The use of nature imagery is a prominent feature of 'A Birthday.' To delve deeper into this
aspect, as in Emma Mason's book, Christina Rossetti: Poetry, Ecology, Faith, sheds light on
how Rossetti seamlessly integrates love and the natural world in her work. References to the
‘apple tree,’ ‘rose,’ and ‘grass’ symbolize the abundance and fertility of love. Mason's
scholarship highlights Rossetti's ecological awareness and her belief in the
interconnectedness of love and the environment.
The intersection of love and nature in 'A Birthday' reflects the Romantic belief in the
interconnectedness of all things. Love, for Rossetti, is not a separate or isolated emotion but
an integral part of the natural world. This concept aligns with the broader Romantic
philosophy of the harmony between human emotions and the environment.

Dante Gabriel Rossetti, brother to Christina Rossetti, offers another perspective on love and
its transcendence of earthly limitations in his poem 'The Blessed Damozel.' In this visionary
poem, a young woman in Heaven longs for her beloved on Earth. Through her yearning and
imagery, Rossetti explores themes of love, death, and the afterlife.

To understand the depth of Dante Gabriel Rossetti's contribution to Romantic poetry, one
turn to The Complete Poems of Dante Gabriel Rossetti, this encompasses his entire poetic
oeuvre. Dante Gabriel Rossetti was also a central figure in the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, a
group of artists and writers who rejected the prevailing artistic conventions of their time. His
involvement with the Pre-Raphaelites influenced his poetry, emphasizing vivid visual
imagery and symbolism.

Dante Gabriel Rossetti's poem ‘The Blessed Damozel’ is a visionary and ethereal portrayal of
a young woman in Heaven who longs for her beloved on Earth. The poem is divided into two
parts: the Damozel's heavenly perspective and the Earthly perspective of her lover.

In the first part, the Damozel is described as being in Heaven, surrounded by celestial beauty.
She gazes down on Earth and yearns to be reunited with her lover. Her yearning is described
with vivid and sensory imagery, emphasizing her intense desire for their reunion.

The second part of the poem shifts to the perspective of the lover on Earth. He is depicted as
mourning and longing for the Damozel, feeling the absence of her presence in his life.

The poem explores themes of love, separation, and the afterlife. It suggests that love
transcends the boundary between life and death, and that even in Heaven, the Damozel's
thoughts are consumed by her earthly love.

‘The Blessed Damozel’ is a poignant and evocative poem that delves into the enduring power
of love and the yearning for connection beyond the realms of mortality. It is a meditation on
love's ability to bridge the gap between the earthly and the divine.

In 'The Blessed Damozel,' the portrayal of Heaven as a place where love endures beyond the
confines of mortal existence is central to the poem's theme. The Damozel's longing and her
desire to be reunited with her lover on Earth evoke powerful emotions. This exploration of
love in the afterlife offers a unique perspective on the enduring nature of love.

As one compare and contrast Keats's 'Ode on a Grecian Urn,' Christina Rossetti's 'A
Birthday,' and Dante Gabriel Rossetti's 'The Blessed Damozel,' can see that they offer distinct
yet complementary perspectives on love and nature. Keats explores the idea that love, when
captured in art, transcends mortality and becomes a timeless truth. The urn, with its frozen
tableau, represents the permanence of love's essence.

Christina Rossetti, in 'A Birthday,' celebrates the immediacy and vitality of love as
intertwined with the natural world. Her poem paints love as a living and vibrant force, closely
connected to the beauty of the environment. While Keats contemplates the enduring nature of
love through art, Rossetti revels in the present, rejoicing in the moment.

Dante Gabriel Rossetti, in 'The Blessed Damozel,' takes us to the afterlife, where love
remains the central focus. The poem presents a vision of love that transcends earthly
boundaries, suggesting that love continues to flourish even in death.

To gain a more comprehensive understanding of Keats's 'Ode on a Grecian Urn,' one must
delve further into its imagery and symbolism. The urn itself, an object from ancient Greek
culture, serves as a metaphor for the enduring power of art. It is an artefact that encapsulates
a moment in time, preserving the beauty of a bygone era.

The figures painted on the urn, frozen in their actions and emotions, become emblematic of
love's eternal nature. The lovers depicted on the urn are locked in a perpetual state of desire
and pursuit, with the young man forever poised to kiss the maiden. This frozen moment
serves as a testament to the unchanging essence of love, as well as a commentary on the
limitations of human experience.

Christina Rossetti's 'A Birthday' is a vibrant celebration of love that contrasts sharply with
Keats's 'Ode on a Grecian Urn.' In this poem, the speaker's heart bursts forth with joy and
exuberance, proclaiming, ‘My heart is like a singing bird.’ This immediate and unbridled
expression of love is reminiscent of the Romantic ideals of spontaneity and emotional
intensity.

The poem is filled with vivid and sensory imagery that evokes the beauty of nature.
References to the ‘apple tree,’ ‘rose,’ and ‘grass’ evoke a lush and fertile natural world. The
abundance of nature mirrors the richness of the speaker's love. These natural symbols serve
as a backdrop for the speaker's overwhelming emotions, amplifying the sense of joy and
vitality that love brings.

Dante Gabriel Rossetti's 'The Blessed Damozel' takes us into the realm of the afterlife, where
love retains its significance. The Damozel's longing for her beloved on Earth is a central
theme of the poem. This yearning for reunion with her lover explores the enduring nature of
love, even in the face of mortality.

The poem's vivid imagery paints a picture of Heaven as a place of beauty and contemplation.
The Damozel, while in the celestial realm, remains connected to Earth through her love. This
connection transcends the boundaries of life and death, underscoring the enduring power of
love to bridge the gap between the earthly and the divine.

To gain deeper insights into Keats's 'Ode on a Grecian Urn,' it's essential to explore the poetic
techniques he employs to convey his themes. Keats's use of the five senses—sight, sound,
touch, taste, and smell—immerse the reader in the vivid world of the urn. He describes the
urn's scenes in a way that engages multiple senses, making the reader feel as if they are
experiencing the frozen moments first hand.

Keats also employs the literary device of apostrophe, addressing the urn directly. This
technique creates a sense of intimacy and engagement with the object, as if the urn itself
possesses a voice and can respond to the speaker's inquiries. The use of apostrophe adds
depth to the poem's exploration of the relationship between art and reality.

In 'A Birthday,' Christina Rossetti's poetic style is characterized by its musicality and rhythm.
The poem is written in trochaic tetrameter, a metrical pattern that gives it a lively and lilting
quality. The use of repeated sounds and alliteration, such as ‘My heart is like an apple tree’
and "My love is come to me," contributes to the poem's musicality.

Rossetti's poem also employs vivid and sensory imagery to convey the speaker's emotions.
The use of simile and metaphor, such as comparing the heart to a ‘singing bird’ and
describing love as a ‘red rose,’ creates a rich tapestry of sensations that immerse the reader in
the speaker's joyful experience.

Dante Gabriel Rossetti's background as a visual artist significantly influenced his approach to
poetry. As one of the founders of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, Rossetti emphasized vivid
visual imagery and detailed, colourful descriptions in his work. His poem 'The Blessed
Damozel' reflects this artistic sensibility.

In 'The Blessed Damozel,' Rossetti paints a vivid picture of Heaven, complete with celestial
imagery and rich descriptions of the Damozel's surroundings. The poem's visual elements are
reminiscent of Pre-Raphaelite paintings, where attention to detail and lush, vibrant colours
were paramount. Rossetti's ability to translate the visual arts into poetry enriches his
exploration of love in the afterlife.

To appreciate the broader context of love and nature in Romantic poetry, it is essential to
consider the historical and cultural backdrop of the Romantic era. This literary movement
emerged in the late 18th century and continued into the 19th century, characterized by a
renewed interest in emotion, imagination, and the natural world.

Romantic poets rejected the rationalism of the Enlightenment period, embracing a more
intuitive and emotional approach to life and art. They found inspiration in the beauty and
grandeur of nature, often using it as a backdrop for exploring human emotions, including
love.

The works of William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and Lord Byron are notable
examples of Romantic poetry that celebrate nature and delve into the complexities of human
feeling. Wordsworth's ‘Lines Composed a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey’ and Coleridge's
‘Kubla Khan’ are prime illustrations of the Romantic fascination with the sublime in nature.

In Lord Byron's ‘She Walks in Beauty,’ we see a poetic exploration of the connection
between a woman's physical beauty and the beauty of the night. Byron's use of contrasting
imagery highlights the harmony and balance between inner and outer beauty.

In conclusion, the poems 'Ode on a Grecian Urn' by John Keats, 'A Birthday' by Christina
Rossetti, and 'The Blessed Damozel' by Dante Gabriel Rossetti offer profound insights into
the themes of love and nature, each from a unique perspective. Keats's exploration of love's
timeless essence captured in art, Christina Rossetti's celebration of the immediate and joyful
experience of love amidst nature's beauty, and Dante Gabriel Rossetti's vision of love
transcending the realms of life and death demonstrate the depth and richness of Romantic
poetry.
These poems continue to resonate with readers today because they speak to the enduring
complexities of human emotion and the timeless beauty of the natural world. The Romantic
era's fascination with love and nature reminds us of the profound connections between our
innermost feelings and the world that surrounds us.

In a world that is constantly changing, these poems invite us to pause and reflect on the
enduring aspects of life- the enduring power of love and the eternal beauty of nature.

References:

Kent, David A. Editor. Selected Poems of Christina Rossetti. Penguin Classics, 1998.

Larkin, Peter. Keats and the Sublime. Palgrave Macmillan, 1988.

Marsh, Jan. Christina Rossetti: A Literary Biography. Jonathan Cape, 1994.

Mason, Emma. Christina Rossetti: Poetry, Ecology, Faith. Ohio University Press, 2018.

Mikkonen, Kai. The Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood: A Critical Monograph. University of

Illinois Press, 2008.

Miller, Christopher R. Keats and Embarrassment. Johns Hopkins UP, 1984.

Roe, Nicholas. John Keats: A New Life. Yale UP, 2012.

Rossetti, Dante Gabriel. The Complete Poems of Dante Gabriel Rossetti. Penguin Classics,

2001.

Stillinger, Jack, Editor. John Keats: The Complete Poems. The Belknap Press of Harvard

UP, 1982.