
Ode to a Nightingale
Ode to a Nightingale by Alice Meynell is a poem that explores the themes of mortality, beauty, and the transience of life. The speaker of the poem addresses the nightingale, urging it to sing and bring joy to the world, despite the inevitability of death and suffering. The poem is known for its vivid imagery and use of metaphor, as well as its exploration of the human condition.
By Alice Meynell · First published 1890 · Genre: Poetry, Literature, Romanticism · 887 words
First lines
MY heart aches, and a drowsy numbness pains
My sense, as though of hemlock I had drunk,
What this Textopian page supports
Ode to a Nightingale is listed on Textopian as a poem by Alice Meynell, dated 1890 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Alice Meynell
- Date: 1890 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Literature, Romanticism
- Length: 887 words
- Structure: 1 section, 18 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Ode to a Nightingale by Alice Meynell
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
Genres
- Poetry — The title 'Ode to a Nightingale' suggests a poetic composition, specifically an ode which is a form of lyrical poetry. Alice Meynell is also known for her work in the poetry domain.
- Literature — Being a poem, it falls under the broad genre of literature, encompassing various types of written works.
- Romanticism — The ode is usually associated with the Romantic era, a period where poets often used symbolism of natural elements like birds to convey deep emotions.
Tags
poetry · nature · music · philosophy · existence · meaning · life · death · hope · despair · longing · yearning
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