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Shelley's "Ode To The West Wind": Analysis - Papers Online

Shelley's "Ode To The West Wind": Analysis



In "Ode to the West Wind," Percy Bysshe Shelley tries to gain
transcendence, for he shows that his thoughts, like the "winged seeds" (7) are
trapped. The West Wind acts as a driving force for change and rejuvenation in
the human and natural world. Shelley views winter not just as last phase of
vegetation but as the last phase of life in the individual, the imagination,
civilization and religion. Being set in Autumn, Shelley observes the changing
of the weather and its effects on the internal and external environment. By
examining this poem, the reader will see that Shelley can only reach his
sublime by having the wind carry his "dead thoughts" (63) which through an
apocalyptic ...

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Each like a corpse within its grave, until/ Thine
azure sister of the Spring shall blow" (7-9). In the first line, Shelley use
the phrase "winged seeds" which presents images of flying and freedom. The
only problem is that they lay "cold and low" or unnourished or not elevated.
He likens this with a feeling of being trapped. The important word is "seeds"
for it shows that even in death, new life will grow out of the "grave." The
phrase "winged seeds" also brings images of religions, angels, and/or souls
that continue to create new life. Heavenly images are confirmed by his use of
the word "azure" which besides meaning sky blue, also is defined, in Webster's
Dictionary, as an "unclouded vault of heaven." The word "azure," coupled with
the word "Spring," helps show Shelley's view of rejuvenation. The word
"Spring" besides being a literary metaphor for rebirth also means to rise up. In
line 9, Shelley uses soft sounding phrases to communicate the blowing of the
wind. This ...

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to frighten the reader and to show the long breath of the wind.
Shelley wants the reader to visualize the "dome" as having a presence like a
volcano. And when the "dome" does "burst," it will act as a "Destroyer and
Preserver" and creator. The use of the words "Black rain and fire and hail..."
(28) also helps the reader prepare for the apocalyptic climax which Shelley
intended.

As the rising action continues, Shelley talks of the "Mediterranean"
(31) and its "summer dreams" (30). In the dream, the reader finds the sea
laying "Beside a pumice isle in Baiae's bay/ And saw in sleep old palaces and
towers/ Quivering within the wave's intenser day" (32-34). Shelley implants
the ...

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Shelley's "Ode To The West Wind": Analysis. (2006, January 10). Retrieved March 29, 2024, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Shelleys-Ode-To-West-Wind-Analysis/39399
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"Shelley's "Ode To The West Wind": Analysis." Essayworld.com. January 10, 2006. Accessed March 29, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Shelleys-Ode-To-West-Wind-Analysis/39399.
"Shelley's "Ode To The West Wind": Analysis." Essayworld.com. January 10, 2006. Accessed March 29, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Shelleys-Ode-To-West-Wind-Analysis/39399.
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PAPER DETAILS
Added: 1/10/2006 10:34:26 AM
Category: Poetry & Poets
Type: Free Paper
Words: 1450
Pages: 6

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