M.A English (Literature and Linguistic)

1. Sir Bahdar
ODE TO THE WEST WIND
It is one of Shelley’s greatest poems. It has been called a “matchless ode” But it is not easy to
understand. The main difficulty in understanding it arises from the abundance of similes and
metaphors which follow one another with an astonishing quickness. In the course of the poem,
Shelley passes from a magnificent realization of nature’s storm and peace to equally great self
description. Finally he mingles nature and himself together in order to sing of the Golden Age of
mankind.
Stanza 1 The opening stanza describes the activities of the West Wind on land. The west wind
drives the dead leave before it just a magician drives a ghost by his approach. The poet
addresses the west wind as wild spirit moving everywhere and as a destroyer and a preserver.
Wild spirit, which art moving every where
Destroyer and preserver; hear oh hear
Stanza 11. It describes the activities of west wind in the air. The poet calls upon the west wind
to listen to him. The clouds floating on the surface of the west wind are messengers of rain and
lightning. The stanza is an example of of the abstract imagery which characterizes much of
Shelley,s poetry.It is remarkable also for its similes and metaphors.
Stanza 3.It describes the effect of the west wind on water. The stanza is remarkable for its vivid
imagery and for the manner in which two oceans___the Mediterranean and Atlantic___ are
personified. In note, Shelley pointed it out that the vegetation at bottom of the sea, of rivers,
and of lakes,sympathises with that of the land in the change of the season, and is consequently
influenced by the winds which announce that change.
Stanza 4.The here establishes a link between his own personality and the personality of the
west wind. He recalls his boyhood when he was swift, energetic and uncontrollable as the west
west wind. The poet says that in his boyhood he could excel the speed of the west wind and
cloud accompany it on its wandering over the sky.
Oh ,lift me as wave, leaf ,a cloud
I fall upon the thorns of life I bleed
A heavy weight of hours has chained and bowed
Once too like thee:tameless and swift and proud.
Stanza 5.The final stanza includes the whole universe in its sweep. The poet appeals to the west
wind to treat him as lyre and to blow on him as it blows in the forest, like the forest, he too is
passing through the autumn of his life. The west wind blowing on him and on the forest will
produce a sad but sweet music. He would like the west wind to broadcast over the whole world
his prophecy about the coming of the golden age. If winter comes can spring be far behind? In
this stanza we find a clear expression of Shelley’s idealism ,his believe in the perfectibility of
human nature, and hid believe in the Golden Age of mankind.
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