Ode WW Shelley

Structure of the poemODE TO THE WEST WIND Ode - a rhymed lyric - in the form of an address - dignified in subject, feeling and style - elaborately structured poem - musicality (repetition,alliteration; rhetorical device) - divided into five stanzas - each is sonnet, made up of 14 lines - all stanzas have same rhyme scheme : aba bcb cdc ded ee

The poet Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792-1822) - highly imaginative - intellectually active - - strong presence in his works The Cenci (poetic drama) Ode to Liberty Adonis To a Skylark Ozymandias

Shelleys Idealism in the west windPoet - a revolutionary in nature, Shelley was dissatisfied with the existing order Rebelled against political tyranny, orthodox religion war - made the life of mankind unhappy and miserable Shelley sought to liberate mankind from the shackles of political, religious, and intellectual slavery:(clear in Ode to the West Wind) Shelley believed in the perfectibility of human nature Ode to the West Wind - shape and expression of this ideal

The poem Introduction- Ode to the West Wind conceives a world as seen in a forest at the edge of wild, boisterous watersthe stormy West wind was collecting the vapors of the Autumnal rainsThe poet imagines an ideal dialogue with the Natural elements: The wind (personification)

SummaryStanza-1: activities of the WW on the land are described. The WW drives the dead leaves of various colours yellow, black, pale and red- scatters the winged seeds far and wide buries leaves and seeds under the earth - like dead bodies in their graves, until spring Then they sprout and bear flowers to fill the valley with sweet fragranceThe WW depicted as destroyer (of dead leaves)preserver (of seeds buried under ground)

Stanza-2: west wind active in the aircarries loose clouds as the dead leavesclouds floating with the WW are messengers of rain and lightning (symbolism quench,regeneration,activity,turbulence from whence new life comes forth) the approaching storm civil awarenessThe stanza also describes WW as the harbinger of the end - song of the dying year, a new era preannounced stanza illustrates the abstract qualities of Shelleys poetry.

Stanza-3: WW in action on waterawakens the blue Mediterranean from a long torpor/sleep inaction as in a dream - of ruined palaces and towers (now submerged in water), once they stood majestically on its shores. On those ruins marine vegetation, moss and plants with flowers now growingThe WW blows over the Atlantic in such a fury(rebelling spirit) rising waves give way to the mighty Wind so the vegetation on the bottom of the ocean trembles with fear and is uprooted

Stanza-4:

After describing the effects of WW on the earth, sky and sea, the poet turns to himself and identifies his own personality(role) with that of the West Wind recalling his swift, energetic, and uncontrollable childhood (innocence to perceive more profoundly the state of matters as they truly are) the poet feels like the WW and could accompany it on its wandering over the sky

Stanza-4:

4. But adversities of life have crushed him (defeat of intent)5. He is bleeding on the thorns of life (Christ figure of salvation/sacrifice for the new order/beliefs)6. Poet needs inspiration from WW for support7. Powerless and helpless, he desperately appeals to WW to uplift him (elevation to a new perceptive consciousness which he will share with the world)

Stanza-5: The poet appeals to WW to make him his acolyte - a lyre and blow/sing through him like it blows on the forestLike the forest, he sees the autumn of our eraHe entreats WW to become one with him and to scatter his thoughts over the world to be the harbinger of new period in human historyThe present miserable condition must give place to a happier and brighter new orderThe last line of the poem is a clear expression of Shelley's idealism - belief in the perfectibility of human nature.

DIFFERENT ROLE OF WEST WINDDestroyerPreserverAgent of ChangeWild, uncontrollable, swift and tamelessMusicianHarbinger (herald) of the Golden Age of mankind

SYMBOLISMThe poem has several symbolic layers of meaning-The west wind is symbolic of destruction (of the old order) and preservation (of new one).Thus a symbol of change/renewal. dead leaves and seeds all material things are subject to change as is the hope for a new world orderThe west wind also embodies the poet himself.West wind a symbol of the powerful influence and forces that will announce the new order of mankind.

STANZA - ISimiles and MetaphorsMetaphors:Breath of autumns being the winged seeds destroyer and preserver

Similes:Like ghost from enchanter each like corpse

STANZA - IIMetaphors: Angels of rains and lightning some fierce Maenad dome of a vast sepulture

Similes: clouds like earths decaying leaves like the bright hair uplifted

STANZA - IIIMetaphors: the coil of his crystalline streams Atlantic level powers

Similes:Like ghost from enchanter each like corpse

STANZA - IVMetaphors: thorns of life The comrade of thy wandering

STANZA - VMetaphors: the trumpet of prophecy winter spring

Similes: as from an unextinguished hearth ashes and sparks.