Short Answer 
“Ode on a Grecian Urn” by John Keats emphasizes the relationship between beauty and truth, proposing that art conveys eternal truths that transcend time, while also highlighting the transience of life. Conversely, “On Seeing the Elgin Marbles” presents a conflicting viewpoint, emphasizing mortality and decay, thus challenging the notion of enduring beauty and creating tension between admiration and recognition of fragility.
Step 1: Understanding “Ode on a Grecian Urn”
“Ode on a Grecian Urn” is a poem written by John Keats that explores the connection between art, beauty, and truth. In this poem, Keats suggests that beauty leads humanity to discover deeper truths. He presents the idea that art represents an eternal, unchanging truth that transcends time, allowing individuals to grasp a sense of permanence in an ever-changing world.
Step 2: Key Themes in the Poem
The poem’s central themes can be summarized as follows:
- Beauty and Truth: Keats conveys that the experience of beauty is crucial for understanding truth.
- Timelessness of Art: The artwork depicted in the urn serves as a symbol of lasting artistic expression that outlives its creators.
- Transience of Life: While art remains unchanged, the natural world and human experiences are fleeting and subject to decay.
Step 3: Contradiction in “On Seeing the Elgin Marbles”
In contrast to Keats’ views in “Ode on a Grecian Urn,” the poem “On Seeing the Elgin Marbles” introduces a conflicting perspective. Specifically, when it states that it “mingles Grecian grandeur with the rude wasting of old time,” it highlights the following points:
- Mortality: The reference to the “rude wasting” indicates the inevitable decline that all things face, challenging the idea of timeless beauty.
- Decay vs. Perpetuity: It questions the permanence of the beauty of the marbles, suggesting they, too, are subject to time’s effects.
- Contradictory Emotions: The blend of admiration for ancient art with the realization of its fragility creates a tension that contradicts Keats’ notions of eternal truth through beauty.