Ode: Definitions & Types

ODE: DEFINITION & TYPES:

An ode is a short lyric poem that praises an individual, an idea, or an event. It is serious in tone and has some noble personality to praise. The word "Ode" is derived from the Greek word "aeidein", which means to sing or to chant. It has some musical qualities too. It has a fixed structure written in three parts – strophe, anti-strophe and epode.

In Greek odes, the strophe usually consisted of two or more lines repeated as a unit. In modern usage, the term strophe can refer to any group of verses which introduces a topic. The antistrophe or the second stanza of an ode is structured the same way as the strophe, but typically offers a thematic development. The epode or the last stanza has a different meter and length from the strophe and antistrophe, and serves to summarize or conclude the ideas of the ode.

There are three types of odes in English literature - Pindaric Odes, Horacian Odes and Irregular Odes. 

Pindaric odes are named after the ancient Greek poet Pindar, who lived during the 5th century BC. Pindar created this new form of poetry. Pindaric ode consists of a strophe, an antistrophe that is melodically harmonious, and an epode. They are characterized by irregular line lengths and rhyme schemes. ‘Ode on Intimations of Immortality from Recollections of Early Childhood’ by William Wordsworth is a nice example of Pindaric ode.

Horacian odes are named after a Roman poet Horace, who lived during the 1st century. Horacian ode consists of two or four line stanzas also known as couplets or quatrains. They share the same meter, rhyme scheme, and length. John Keats was a great exponent of Horacian odes. ‘Ode on a Grecian Urn,’ ‘To Autumn’, and ‘Ode to a Nightingale’ by John Keats are some popular Horacian odes of English literature.

Irregular odes are called irregular because they follow neither the Pindaric form nor the Horacian form. Irregular odes include irregular rhyme, as well as irregular verse structure and stanza patterns. American poet Allen Tate’s ‘Ode to the Confederate Dead’ is a famous example of irregular ode.

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