Percy Bysshe Shelley Percy Bysshe Shelley

I. Life:I. Life: born in 1792, in Sussex; born in 1792, in Sussex; He attended He attended EtonEton where where he was known as" M he was known as" Mad Shelley”. At this time he was much influencad Shelley”. At this time he was much influenced by the utopian-socialist doctrines of William ed by the utopian-socialist doctrines of William Godwin.Godwin. Then he went to Oxford, where he took part in pThen he went to Oxford, where he took part in progressive activities and soon came into sharp rogressive activities and soon came into sharp conflict with the university authorities. In 1811 conflict with the university authorities. In 1811 Shelley published an anti-religious pamphlet ' Shelley published an anti-religious pamphlet ' The Necessity of Atheism',The Necessity of Atheism', believing that religi believing that religion was an instrument of oppression. For this he on was an instrument of oppression. For this he was promptly expelled from the university and was promptly expelled from the university and disowned by his father.disowned by his father.

While living alone in London at the age of 19, he made acquaintaWhile living alone in London at the age of 19, he made acquaintance with and married, out of sympathy, a school-girl of 16, Harrience with and married, out of sympathy, a school-girl of 16, Harriet Westbrook. For two years the young couple wandered about Ent Westbrook. For two years the young couple wandered about England, Ireland and Scotland.gland, Ireland and Scotland. Shelley's marriage with Harriet had proved hasty and unsuitable, Shelley's marriage with Harriet had proved hasty and unsuitable, because she could not share his ideas. because she could not share his ideas. (Shelley was a believer (Shelley was a believer

in ‘free love’.in ‘free love’. The unhappy union was dissolved in 1814. In 1816, Shelley marriThe unhappy union was dissolved in 1814. In 1816, Shelley married Mary Godwin, the daughter of William Godwin, the radical philed Mary Godwin, the daughter of William Godwin, the radical philosopher, and Mary Wollstonecraft, the authoress of the famous ' osopher, and Mary Wollstonecraft, the authoress of the famous ' Vindication of the Rights of Women'. Shelley's second marriage Vindication of the Rights of Women'. Shelley's second marriage was a happy one.was a happy one. He was compelled to leave England in 1818 and spent all the resHe was compelled to leave England in 1818 and spent all the rest of his life in Italy. t of his life in Italy. InIn 1816 began Shelley's friendship with Byron. 1816 began Shelley's friendship with Byron. While in Italy Shelley and Byron formed a closer connection with While in Italy Shelley and Byron formed a closer connection with each other and from then on the names of the two poets have beeach other and from then on the names of the two poets have been linked up for ever.en linked up for ever.

II . Major WorksII . Major Works "Queen Mab", Shelley's first long poem of importance, "Queen Mab", Shelley's first long poem of importance, written in 1813. contains almost all his major social anwritten in 1813. contains almost all his major social and political ideas. d political ideas. It is written in the form of a fairy-tale dream. The fairy It is written in the form of a fairy-tale dream. The fairy Queen Mab carries oil in her celestial chariot a beautifQueen Mab carries oil in her celestial chariot a beautiful and pure maiden Lanthe, and shows her the past, pul and pure maiden Lanthe, and shows her the past, present and future of mankind. Through the mouth of tresent and future of mankind. Through the mouth of the fairy queen the poet presents his own views on philhe fairy queen the poet presents his own views on philosophy, religion, morality, and social problems. osophy, religion, morality, and social problems.

The Revolt of Islam': The Revolt of Islam': "The Revolt of Islam', another important long "The Revolt of Islam', another important long poem of Shelley's, was poem of Shelley's, was wwritten in 1818. A brothritten in 1818. A brother and a sister. Laon and Cythna are united in ter and a sister. Laon and Cythna are united in their common ideal of liberty, equality and fratheir common ideal of liberty, equality and fraternity and they rouse the spirit of revolt amonernity and they rouse the spirit of revolt among their Islam people against their tyrants.g their Islam people against their tyrants. Heroic struggle for the liberation of mankind aHeroic struggle for the liberation of mankind and union with a sister-comrade were inseparand union with a sister-comrade were inseparable elements of Shelley's ideal, and the love beble elements of Shelley's ideal, and the love between Laon and Cythna was but the symbol of tween Laon and Cythna was but the symbol of their common devotion to a lofty cause. their common devotion to a lofty cause. Besides the theme of revolution the poem shBesides the theme of revolution the poem shows Shelley's attitude towards the position of ows Shelley's attitude towards the position of woman in society. Cythna the woman warrior woman in society. Cythna the woman warrior seeks the intellectual liberation of her sex. seeks the intellectual liberation of her sex.

" Prometheus Unbound" " Prometheus Unbound" Shelley's masterpiece is "Prometheus UnbounShelley's masterpiece is "Prometheus Unbound' (1820), a lyrical drama in 4 acts.d' (1820), a lyrical drama in 4 acts. According to Greek myth, Prometheus stole fire According to Greek myth, Prometheus stole fire from heaven and taught men how to use it. For from heaven and taught men how to use it. For this he was punished by Zeus, the supreme god,this he was punished by Zeus, the supreme god, who chained him to a rock on Mt.Caucasus, wh who chained him to a rock on Mt.Caucasus, where during the daytime a vulture fed on his liver, ere during the daytime a vulture fed on his liver, which was restored each succeeding night.which was restored each succeeding night. So the figure of Prometheus has been 'symboliSo the figure of Prometheus has been 'symbolic of those noble-hearted revolutionaries, who dc of those noble-hearted revolutionaries, who devote themselves to the just cause of the peoplevote themselves to the just cause of the people and suffer great pains at the hands of tyrants'. e and suffer great pains at the hands of tyrants'.

Lyrics on Nature and Love Lyrics on Nature and Love In Shelley's lyrics, nature is endowed In Shelley's lyrics, nature is endowed

with life, and the poet merges with life, and the poet merges himself with it. This gives an himself with it. This gives an exquisite beauty to these lyrics on exquisite beauty to these lyrics on nature. nature.

This passionate love of nature is an This passionate love of nature is an expression of the poet's eager expression of the poet's eager aspiration for something free from aspiration for something free from the care and misery of real life. the care and misery of real life.

““A Defence of Poetry"A Defence of Poetry" Shelley's essay' A Defence of Poetry‘Shelley's essay' A Defence of Poetry‘ (1821) (1821) was wri was written as a refutation of Peacock's viewtten as a refutation of Peacock's views of poetry in s of poetry in

“The Four Ages of Poetry”“The Four Ages of Poetry”. Shelley maintained that . Shelley maintained that poetry, so far from being deteriorated and made powpoetry, so far from being deteriorated and made powerless by the advance of civilization is actually the indierless by the advance of civilization is actually the indispensable agent of civilization. Poets are the unacknospensable agent of civilization. Poets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world', and poetry can play wledged legislators of the world', and poetry can play a very important part in the spiritual life of society. a very important part in the spiritual life of society. Poetry "is a more direct representation of the actions Poetry "is a more direct representation of the actions and passions, of our internal being". It is through langand passions, of our internal being". It is through language that the imagination most readily apprehends thuage that the imagination most readily apprehends the ideal order of truth. e ideal order of truth.

OzymandiasOzymandias I met a traveller from an antique landI met a traveller from an antique landWho said: "Two vast and trunkless legs of stoneWho said: "Two vast and trunkless legs of stoneStand in the desert. Near them on the sand,Stand in the desert. Near them on the sand,Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frownHalf sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown And wrinkled lip and sneer of cold commandAnd wrinkled lip and sneer of cold commandTell that its sculptor well those passions readTell that its sculptor well those passions readWhich yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed.The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed.And on the pedestal these words appear:And on the pedestal these words appear:`My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings:`My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings:Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!'Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!'Nothing beside remains. Round the decayNothing beside remains. Round the decayOf that colossal wreck, boundless and bare,Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare,The lone and level sands stretch far away.The lone and level sands stretch far away.

"Ode to the West Wind" (1819)"Ode to the West Wind" (1819) 1 O wild West Wind, thou breath of Autumn's being, 1 O wild West Wind, thou breath of Autumn's being, 2 Thou, from whose unseen presence the leaves dead 2 Thou, from whose unseen presence the leaves dead 3 Are driven, like ghosts from an enchanter fleeing, 3 Are driven, like ghosts from an enchanter fleeing,

4 Yellow, and black, and pale, and hectic red, 4 Yellow, and black, and pale, and hectic red, 5 Pestilence-stricken multitudes: O thou, 5 Pestilence-stricken multitudes: O thou, 6 Who chariotest to their dark wintry bed 6 Who chariotest to their dark wintry bed 7 The winged seeds, where they lie cold and low, 7 The winged seeds, where they lie cold and low, 8 Each like a corpse within its grave, until 8 Each like a corpse within its grave, until 9 Thine azure sister of the Spring shall blow 9 Thine azure sister of the Spring shall blow 10 Her clarion o'er the dreaming earth, and fill 10 Her clarion o'er the dreaming earth, and fill 11 (Driving sweet buds like flocks to feed in air) 11 (Driving sweet buds like flocks to feed in air) 12 With living hues and odours plain and hill: 12 With living hues and odours plain and hill: 13 Wild Spirit, which art moving everywhere; 13 Wild Spirit, which art moving everywhere; 14 Destroyer and preserver; hear, oh hear! 14 Destroyer and preserver; hear, oh hear!

15 15 Thou on whose stream, mid the steep sky's commotion, Thou on whose stream, mid the steep sky's commotion, 16 Loose clouds like earth's decaying leaves are shed, 16 Loose clouds like earth's decaying leaves are shed, 17 17 Shook from the tangled boughs of Heaven and Ocean,Shook from the tangled boughs of Heaven and Ocean, 18 Angels of rain and lightning: there are spread 18 Angels of rain and lightning: there are spread 19 On the blue surface of thine aiery surge, 19 On the blue surface of thine aiery surge, 20 Like the bright hair uplifted from the head 20 Like the bright hair uplifted from the head 21 Of some fierce Maenad, even from the dim verge 21 Of some fierce Maenad, even from the dim verge 22 Of the horizon to the zenith's height, 22 Of the horizon to the zenith's height, 23 The locks of the approaching storm. Thou dirge 23 The locks of the approaching storm. Thou dirge 24 Of the dying year, to which this closing night 24 Of the dying year, to which this closing night 25 Will be the dome of a vast sepulchre, 25 Will be the dome of a vast sepulchre, 26 Vaulted with all thy congregated might 26 Vaulted with all thy congregated might 27 Of vapours, from whose solid atmosphere 27 Of vapours, from whose solid atmosphere 28 Black rain, and fire, and hail will burst: oh hear! 28 Black rain, and fire, and hail will burst: oh hear!

29 Thou who didst waken from his summer dreams 29 Thou who didst waken from his summer dreams 30 The blue Mediterranean, where he lay, 30 The blue Mediterranean, where he lay, 31 Lull'd by the coil of his crystalline streams, 31 Lull'd by the coil of his crystalline streams, 32 Beside a pumice isle in Baiae's bay, 32 Beside a pumice isle in Baiae's bay, 33 And saw in sleep old palaces and towers 33 And saw in sleep old palaces and towers 34 Quivering within the wave's intenser day, 34 Quivering within the wave's intenser day, 35 All overgrown with azure moss and flowers 35 All overgrown with azure moss and flowers 36 So sweet, the sense faints picturing them! Thou 36 So sweet, the sense faints picturing them! Thou 37 For whose path the Atlantic's level powers 37 For whose path the Atlantic's level powers 38 Cleave themselves into chasms, while far below 38 Cleave themselves into chasms, while far below 39 The sea-blooms and the oozy woods which wear 39 The sea-blooms and the oozy woods which wear 40 The sapless foliage of the ocean, know 40 The sapless foliage of the ocean, know 41 Thy voice, and suddenly grow gray with fear, 41 Thy voice, and suddenly grow gray with fear, 42 And tremble and despoil themselves: oh hear! 42 And tremble and despoil themselves: oh hear!

43 If I were a dead leaf thou mightest bear; 43 If I were a dead leaf thou mightest bear; 44 If I were a swift cloud to fly with thee; 44 If I were a swift cloud to fly with thee; 45 A wave to pant beneath thy power, and share 45 A wave to pant beneath thy power, and share 46 The impulse of thy strength, only less free 46 The impulse of thy strength, only less free 47 Than thou, O uncontrollable! If even 47 Than thou, O uncontrollable! If even 48 I were as in my boyhood, and could be 48 I were as in my boyhood, and could be 49 The comrade of thy wanderings over Heaven, 49 The comrade of thy wanderings over Heaven, 50 As then, when to outstrip thy skiey speed 50 As then, when to outstrip thy skiey speed 51 Scarce seem'd a vision; I would ne'er have striven 51 Scarce seem'd a vision; I would ne'er have striven 52 As thus with thee in prayer in my sore need. 52 As thus with thee in prayer in my sore need. 53 Oh, lift me as a wave, a leaf, a cloud! 53 Oh, lift me as a wave, a leaf, a cloud! 54 I fall upon the thorns of life! I bleed! 54 I fall upon the thorns of life! I bleed! 55 A heavy weight of hours has chain'd and bow'd 55 A heavy weight of hours has chain'd and bow'd 56 One too like thee: tameless, and swift, and proud. 56 One too like thee: tameless, and swift, and proud.

57 Make me thy lyre, even as the forest is: 57 Make me thy lyre, even as the forest is: 58 What if my leaves are falling like its own! 58 What if my leaves are falling like its own! 59 The tumult of thy mighty harmonies 59 The tumult of thy mighty harmonies 60 Will take from both a deep, autumnal tone, 60 Will take from both a deep, autumnal tone, 61 Sweet though in sadness. Be thou, Spirit fierce, 61 Sweet though in sadness. Be thou, Spirit fierce, 62 My spirit! Be thou me, impetuous one! 62 My spirit! Be thou me, impetuous one! 63 Drive my dead thoughts over the universe 63 Drive my dead thoughts over the universe 64 Like wither'd leaves to quicken a new birth! 64 Like wither'd leaves to quicken a new birth! 65 And, by the incantation of this verse, 65 And, by the incantation of this verse, 66 Scatter, as from an unextinguish'd hearth 66 Scatter, as from an unextinguish'd hearth 67 Ashes and sparks, my words among mankind! 67 Ashes and sparks, my words among mankind! 68 Be through my lips to unawaken'd earth 68 Be through my lips to unawaken'd earth 69 The trumpet of a prophecy! O Wind, 69 The trumpet of a prophecy! O Wind,

70 If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind? 70 If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?

TO A SKYLARKTO A SKYLARK Hail to thee, blithe Spirit!Hail to thee, blithe Spirit! Bird thou never wert,Bird thou never wert, That from Heaven, or near it,That from Heaven, or near it, Pourest thy full heartPourest thy full heart In profuse strains of unpremeditated art.In profuse strains of unpremeditated art. Higher still and higherHigher still and higher From the earth thou springestFrom the earth thou springest Like a cloud of fire;Like a cloud of fire; The blue deep thou wingest,The blue deep thou wingest, And singing still dost soar, and soaring ever singest.And singing still dost soar, and soaring ever singest. In the golden lightningIn the golden lightning Of the sunken sunOf the sunken sun O'er which clouds are bright'ning,O'er which clouds are bright'ning, Thou dost float and run,Thou dost float and run, Like an unbodied joy whose race is just begun.Like an unbodied joy whose race is just begun.

The pale purple evenThe pale purple even Melts around thy flight;Melts around thy flight; Like a star of HeavenLike a star of Heaven In the broad daylightIn the broad daylight Thou art unseen, but yet I hear thy shrill delight:Thou art unseen, but yet I hear thy shrill delight:

Keen as are the arrowsKeen as are the arrows Of that silver sphere,Of that silver sphere, Whose intense lamp narrowsWhose intense lamp narrows In the white dawn clearIn the white dawn clear Until we hardly see--we feel that it is there.Until we hardly see--we feel that it is there.

All the earth and airAll the earth and air With thy voice is loud.With thy voice is loud. As, when night is bare,As, when night is bare, From one lonely cloudFrom one lonely cloud The moon rains out her beams, and heaven is overflowed.The moon rains out her beams, and heaven is overflowed.

What thou art we know not;What thou art we know not; What is most like thee?What is most like thee? From rainbow clouds there flow notFrom rainbow clouds there flow not Drops so bright to seeDrops so bright to see As from thy presence showers a rain of melody.As from thy presence showers a rain of melody.

Like a poet hiddenLike a poet hidden In the light of thought,In the light of thought, Singing hymns unbidden,Singing hymns unbidden, Till the world is wroughtTill the world is wrought To sympathy with hopes and fears it heeded not:To sympathy with hopes and fears it heeded not:

Like a high-born maidenLike a high-born maiden In a palace tower,In a palace tower, Soothing her love-ladenSoothing her love-laden Soul in secret hourSoul in secret hour With music sweet as love, which overflows her With music sweet as love, which overflows her

bower:bower:

Like a glow-worm goldenLike a glow-worm golden In a dell of dew,In a dell of dew, Scattering unbeholdenScattering unbeholden Its aerial hueIts aerial hue Among the flowers and grass, which screen it from the view:Among the flowers and grass, which screen it from the view: Like a rose emboweredLike a rose embowered In its own green leaves,In its own green leaves, By warm winds deflowered,By warm winds deflowered, Till the scent it givesTill the scent it gives Makes faint with too much sweet these heavy-winged thieves.Makes faint with too much sweet these heavy-winged thieves. Sound of vernal showersSound of vernal showers On the twinkling grass,On the twinkling grass, Rain-awakened flowers,Rain-awakened flowers, All that ever wasAll that ever was Joyous, and clear, and fresh, thy music doth surpass.Joyous, and clear, and fresh, thy music doth surpass.

Teach us, sprite or bird,Teach us, sprite or bird, What sweet thoughts are thine:What sweet thoughts are thine: I have never heardI have never heard Praise of love or winePraise of love or wine That panted forth a flood of rapture so divine.That panted forth a flood of rapture so divine. Chorus hymenealChorus hymeneal Or triumphal chauntOr triumphal chaunt Matched with thine, would be allMatched with thine, would be all But an empty vaunt--But an empty vaunt-- A thing wherein we feel there is some hidden want.A thing wherein we feel there is some hidden want. What objects are the fountainsWhat objects are the fountains Of thy happy strain?Of thy happy strain? What fields, or waves, or mountains?What fields, or waves, or mountains? What shapes of sky or plain?What shapes of sky or plain? What love of thine own kind? what ignorance of pain?What love of thine own kind? what ignorance of pain?

With thy clear keen joyanceWith thy clear keen joyance Languor cannot be:Languor cannot be: Shadow of annoyanceShadow of annoyance Never came near thee:Never came near thee: Thou lovest, but ne'er knew love's sad satiety.Thou lovest, but ne'er knew love's sad satiety. Waking or asleep,Waking or asleep, Thou of death must deemThou of death must deem Things more true and deepThings more true and deep Than we mortals dream,Than we mortals dream, Or how could thy notes flow in such a crystal stream?Or how could thy notes flow in such a crystal stream? We look before and after,We look before and after, And pine for what is not:And pine for what is not: Our sincerest laughterOur sincerest laughter With some pain is fraught;With some pain is fraught; Our sweetest songs are those that tell of saddest thought.Our sweetest songs are those that tell of saddest thought.

Yet if we could scornYet if we could scorn Hate, and pride, and fear;Hate, and pride, and fear; If we were things bornIf we were things born Not to shed a tear,Not to shed a tear, I know not how thy joy we ever should come near.I know not how thy joy we ever should come near.

Better than all measuresBetter than all measures Of delightful sound,Of delightful sound, Better than all treasuresBetter than all treasures That in books are found,That in books are found, Thy skill to poet were, thou scorner of the ground!Thy skill to poet were, thou scorner of the ground!

Teach me half the gladnessTeach me half the gladness That thy brain must know,That thy brain must know, Such harmonious madnessSuch harmonious madness From my lips would flowFrom my lips would flow The world should listen then, as I am listening now!The world should listen then, as I am listening now!