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Horatian ode

Horatian ode

9.9
A calm, thoughtful poem with several equal parts and a regular rhythm like Horace wrote
  • noun
  • /həˈreɪʃən oʊd/
  • Literature
translation icon : oda horaciana
  • A classic example of a Horatian ode is found in the works of the poet John Keats, where each stanza follows a consistent meter.

Examples

  • In her new collection, the poet explores themes of nature and time through the form of a Horatian ode, showcasing balanced stanzas.

  • Recent criticism has documented the gradual identification of the Psalms with the Horatian ode, from Marcantonio Flaminio's Neolatin.

    Academic text (2002)
  • The structure of a Horatian ode typically includes multiple stanzas, each with a similar rhyme scheme.

Synonyms

ode
vsHoratian ode
  • Literature
22 7.8

A poem that praises someone or something in a formal, musical way

focuses on matching stanza length and meter modeled after a Roman poet

Surface Forms

Horatian ode singular
Horatian odes plural

Morphology

Horatian + ode

This is a straightforward adjective + noun composition: 'Horatian' means 'pertaining to Horace' and modifies 'ode', so a learner who knows both constituents can infer it is an ode in Horace's style. Although the full technical description (specific stanza length and meter) is specialized, the general sense is transparently derivable and follows common adjective–noun composition patterns.

Etymology

Horatian ode is named after the Roman poet Horace, who wrote calm, balanced odes with stanzas of the same length and a steady beat. Later writers copied his form, so a Horatian ode means 'a poem made in Horace's calm, regular style'.