🇬🇧

Veil’d Melancholy has her sovran shrine, by John Keats — Analysis & Translation

2 min read English

Original Poem

Veil’d Melancholy has her sovran shrine, Though seen of none save him whose strenuous tongue Can burst Joy’s grape against his palate fine

Translation (English)

Hidden sadness has her supreme place, Though only seen by those whose strong voice Can crush joy's fruit against their sensitive taste

About the Poet

John Keats (Romantic Era)

John Keats (31 October 1795 – 23 February 1821) was an English poet of the second generation of Romantic poets. His work was initially received indifferently, but his fame grew rapidly after his death. Keats is known for his rich imagery and sensual style, influencing many later writers.

Read more on Wikipedia →

Historical Context

Literary Form
Ode
When Written
Published in 1820
Background
The poem 'Ode on Melancholy' explores the relationship between joy and melancholy, suggesting that true appreciation of joy comes with an understanding of sorrow. It reflects Keats's Romantic ideals of intense emotion and natural imagery.

Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ode_on_Melancholy, https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44478/ode-on-melancholy, https://www.litcharts.com/poetry/john-keats/ode-on-melancholy

Detailed Explanation

This excerpt is from John Keats's 'Ode on Melancholy.' The poem suggests that melancholy, or deep sadness, has a powerful presence that is not visible to everyone. Only those who can fully experience joy, symbolized by the act of bursting a grape of joy against their palate, can truly understand and see melancholy. The imagery of bursting a grape suggests an intense, sensual experience, aligning with Keats's style of rich, sensory language. The poem reflects the Romantic ideal that joy and sorrow are intertwined, and one cannot be fully appreciated without the other. Keats uses the metaphor of a shrine to convey the reverence and significance of melancholy in the human experience.

Themes

  • Joy and Sorrow
  • Sensory Experience
  • Romanticism

Literary Devices

  • Metaphor: 'Joy’s grape' symbolizes the experience of joy.
  • Imagery: Vivid descriptions like 'burst Joy’s grape' create a sensory experience.
  • Personification: Melancholy is given human attributes, such as having a shrine.

Word Dictionary

Word Meaning Translation Transliteration
Veil’d hidden hidden or covered veiled
Melancholy sadness sadness mel-uhn-koh-lee
sovran sovereign highest or most important sov-ran
shrine sacred place special place shrine
strenuous vigorous needing a lot of effort stren-yoo-uhs
palate taste taste pal-it
burst break open break open suddenly burst
Joy’s grape happiness's fruit joyful experience joy's grape

Want to analyze your own poem?

Paste any poem in 180+ languages and get an instant AI-powered analysis with translation, explanation, poet biography, and literary devices.

Try Poetry Explainer — Free