'What is an Ode?': A Literary Guide for English Students and Teachers

What is an ode in poetry and how is it structured? What is the difference between Pindaric Odes and Horatian Odes? In this short lesson, Poet-in-Residence David Biespiel answers these questions using examples from literary history and the poetry of Pablo Neruda. The video is designed to help high school and college English students identify and analyze this poetic form in their literature classes.

Spanish subtitles are now available for this video. To access these subtitles, click on the settings icon in the video.

Timestamps
0:00 Introduction to Ode
0:52 Pindaric Odes
1:51 Horatian Odes
2:31 Ode Structure Strophe, Antistrophe, Epode
3:44 John Keats Odes
4:42 Pablo Neruda Ode

Below are a few more videos in the series. Please drop us a comment letting us know what literary terms you would like us to explore in future videos!

[SWLF]

If you liked this video, show us some love by liking it or dropping us a question or a comment on your favorite ode. Happy Poetry Month, everybody!

[Khatoon]

Odes are elaborately structured poems praising or glorying event or individual, describing nature intellectually as well as emotionally. Ode often features smiles, metaphor, sometimes hyperbole. Traditional ode begins by naming subject of poem, typically preceded by word “ oh “. John Keats wrote five of his most odes included ode on Grecian, ode on indolence, ode on melancholy, ode to nightingale, ode to psyche . Sonnets are among popular forms of ode poetry. Ode written between three and five stanza. Ode created by poet Ancient Greek poet Pindar who lived during 5 th century bc, and is often created with creating ode poetic form . Thank you for your wonderful educational literary channel.

[Deluluchick]

These kind of videos are really informative.

[nabil]

Mr. Biespiel, so good to see you in a new video. Thank you!

[valeriabondar]

Thank you! I was thinking about writing an ode (or calling what I will write an ode), and while I am aware that I can change rules, I think a hymn is better suited in case I don't want to rhyme. (though I like the idea of strophe, antistrophe and epode)

[atharvsingh]

How similar are Odes and Sonnets while dealing with a subject matter?