What is the primary focus of John Keats' "Ode to a Nightingale"?

Prepare for the ETS Major Field Test in British Literature. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question includes hints and explanations. Boost your confidence for exam day!

The primary focus of John Keats' "Ode to a Nightingale" is the transience of life, which encompasses the fleeting nature of happiness, beauty, and human experience. The poem contrasts the immortal song of the nightingale with the mortal condition of humans, highlighting the ephemeral quality of life and joy.

As Keats reflects on the joyful song of the nightingale, he is acutely aware of his own suffering and the inevitable decline that comes with aging, illness, and death. This tension between the enchanting, seemingly eternal song of the bird and the poet's own temporal existence emphasizes the theme of transience. Throughout the ode, Keats grapples with profound existential questions about the nature of beauty and life, ultimately leading to the realization that all human experiences are temporary and must be cherished, as they are destined to fade away.

The other options, while they may touch on elements present in the poem, do not encapsulate its primary focus as effectively as the theme of life's transience. The beauty of nature and the power of love are elements found within the poem, but they serve more as vehicles through which the deeper philosophical reflection on mortality and the fleeting nature of experience is explored. The inevitability of death is significant in Ke

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