Question

P. B. Shelley as a poet of hope and aspiration with reference to ode to West Wind and Skylark​

Answer 1

There is no denying the fact that P.B. Shelley emerges as the poet of hope and aspiration in the poems Ode to the West Wind and Skylark.

In the poem Ode to the West Wind the poet has portrayed west wind as a very powerful, natural force that buries the old and gives birth to new; the poet feels he also needs west wind’s help to get rid of his old thoughts of weakness; he prays to the west wind to blow away his old thoughts of weakness far away, and in their place let new thoughts of strength, vigor, vitality and hope be born. The poet also requests the west wind to spread his message like sparks and embers among all mankind. The message is, ‘if there are sorrows in this world, they will end. The happiness will return surely.’

In the poem To a Skylark, the poet appeals to the golden bird to reveal him his joyous thoughts. He also requests him to teach him the secrets of his gladness and hope.

Answer 2

Teach me half the gladness

Teach me half the gladnessThat thy brain must know,

Teach me half the gladnessThat thy brain must know,Such harmonious madness

Teach me half the gladnessThat thy brain must know,Such harmonious madnessFrom my lips would flow

Teach me half the gladnessThat thy brain must know,Such harmonious madnessFrom my lips would flowThe world should listen then--as I am listening now.

Teach me half the gladnessThat thy brain must know,Such harmonious madnessFrom my lips would flowThe world should listen then--as I am listening now.Here, Shelley expresses his desire to learn from the skylark and its beauty, so that his poetry can somehow be able to capture and share the beauty of the skylark's song and make man stop and listen to the beauty and transforming power of nature.