Ode to joy
Lucie Samarkova
Professor Wing
English 105
Feb. 16th 2014
Essay #1
Friedrich Schiller: Ode to joy
In this essay I will be examining “Ode to Joy” by Schiller, the part which was used by Beethoven as lyrics for his famous Ninth symphony. Definition of “ode’ is a poem in which a person expresses a strong feeling of love or respect for something, in this case for joy.
In
his fairly straightforward poem, Schiller wants to create a feeling and appreciation for the emotion of joy in the reader. The fairly simple theme, harmony and rhythm make it a poem for the common person. The poem is divided into eight stanzas and the rhyme scheme being used is ababcdcd. Rhythm is created by combination of assonance and consonance. The author uses figurative language, imagery and metaphor to describe the euphoric feeling. “Ode to joy” starts with apostrophe “O friends” (1) where the author urges his friends to
1
sing more pleasant sounds, and uses it again in line four: “O joy” asking joy, as if it were a person, if they might praise her, employing personification. In the second stanza he keeps addressing joy, praising and adoring her using personification, imagery, simile as well as abstract and figurative language. He recognizes joy as a source of immortality and calls it “daughter of Elysium”, a place of perfect happiness of which Joy is the daughter. “Of thy radiant shrine we come” (8) describes joy enveloping us with its splendor. It can miraculously set people free from their rigid traditions, devoid of happiness. People in the world are brothers “In the haven of your wings” (12), a metaphor implying that by embracing joy, men will feel love for the whole mankind. In the third stanza the author emphasizes the importance of a strong friendship and a loving marriage. Men fortunate enough to have both shall sing this powerful song. On
Professor Wing
English 105
Feb. 16th 2014
Essay #1
Friedrich Schiller: Ode to joy
In this essay I will be examining “Ode to Joy” by Schiller, the part which was used by Beethoven as lyrics for his famous Ninth symphony. Definition of “ode’ is a poem in which a person expresses a strong feeling of love or respect for something, in this case for joy.
In
his fairly straightforward poem, Schiller wants to create a feeling and appreciation for the emotion of joy in the reader. The fairly simple theme, harmony and rhythm make it a poem for the common person. The poem is divided into eight stanzas and the rhyme scheme being used is ababcdcd. Rhythm is created by combination of assonance and consonance. The author uses figurative language, imagery and metaphor to describe the euphoric feeling. “Ode to joy” starts with apostrophe “O friends” (1) where the author urges his friends to
1
sing more pleasant sounds, and uses it again in line four: “O joy” asking joy, as if it were a person, if they might praise her, employing personification. In the second stanza he keeps addressing joy, praising and adoring her using personification, imagery, simile as well as abstract and figurative language. He recognizes joy as a source of immortality and calls it “daughter of Elysium”, a place of perfect happiness of which Joy is the daughter. “Of thy radiant shrine we come” (8) describes joy enveloping us with its splendor. It can miraculously set people free from their rigid traditions, devoid of happiness. People in the world are brothers “In the haven of your wings” (12), a metaphor implying that by embracing joy, men will feel love for the whole mankind. In the third stanza the author emphasizes the importance of a strong friendship and a loving marriage. Men fortunate enough to have both shall sing this powerful song. On