What is an ode? This word originally had this meaning: a lyric poem, performed by the choir and to the music. Odes in Ancient Greece did not differ in any separate poetic genre. This word translates as "verse." Antique authors divided them into three main categories: dance, deplorable and laudatory. Ode is a form of expression of thought, to which such brilliant figures of antiquity as Pindar and Horace often resorted.
The first wrote epicinias - laudatory songs to fighters who won in the arena. The main task of such voiced poems was to maintain the morale of the competing. Their features are emphasized pomp, solemnity and rich verbal ornamentation. Pindarovskaya ode is a poem that is often difficult to read, enriched with unmotivated associative transitions. After some time,
this kind of poem again became deprived of this special “eloquence” and was considered as a song of praise. The Roman author Horace finally got away from the "lyrical mess" characteristic of Greek Pindar. He writes without any grandiloquence, in a style understandable to all, sometimes with an admixture of irony. His poems are often addressed to a specific person. It seems that this is an attempt to convince someone in poetic form.
Ode as a genre of poem after the fall of ancient culture, which followed the destruction of the Roman Empire, is forgotten for a long time. They return to it already in the Renaissance, which was due to the desire for classicism. But there is a difference between the work of writers of the XVII-XVIII centuries and Antiquity. For example, ancient Greek poets sang their odes, often accompanied by musical and choreographic accompaniment. And poets of the XVII-XVIII centuries only wrote and read them. However, like the ancient authors, they turned to a musical instrument - the lyre, although they did not hold it in their hands, to the gods Apollo, Zeus, but, of course, did not believe in their existence. Thus, the poets of the Renaissance were largely imitators. In addition, in the odes of the ancient Greek poets there were much more feelings and impressions. Glorifying the winners, they did not forget to praise their fellow citizens and ancestors. This was not enough for Russian and European writers od.
The enthusiasm they expressed was most often artificial. Thus, we can say that, for example, the ode to Lomonosov is just an imitation of the classics, and not its reflection. This was noted by the poet Dmitriev, who ridiculed such works in his satire "Alien Sense".
In the Renaissance, the ode is most often a verse designed to exalt rulers or commanders. In addition to Russia, this genre has gained distribution in many countries of Europe. Such verses were usually long, bombastic. For example, such was the "Ode of Accession to the Throne of Elizabeth," written by Lomonosov.
Over time, such poems ceased to be written using artificial construction elements. The meaningless appeals to the lyre and the Olympic gods disappeared . Nowadays, an ode is not a text saturated with grandiloquent and flattering phrases, but a natural expression of genuine delight. The word itself is now rarely used. Instead of “ode” poets often say “thought”, “anthem” or “song”.