Symbolism of the Wind in Shelley's "Ode to the West Wind
Elemental phenomena, like the wind, symbolize the spirit of the Romantic age in Shelley's "Ode to the West Wind." The poem portrays the west wind as a powerful force of nature, associated with freedom, inspiration, and the Holy Spirit. Through vivid imagery, Shelley explores the transformative and regenerative power of the wind, reflecting on themes of change, renewal, and personal struggle.
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Ode to the West Wind Shelley Title: Elemental phenomena such as the wind are often used by the Romantic Poets as symbols to reflect the spirit of the age . Traditionally , the wind is associated with the Holy Spirit that came to the Apostles as a mighty wind . It is associated with some unrestrained power , with freedom and inspiration.
Form The poem is an ode , consistent in pattern . Each stanza is fourteen lines in length , using the rhyme scheme of ababcbcdcdedee . This is called terza rima used by the Italian poet, Dante.
Stanza 1 This stanza describes the activities of the west wind on land. The poet addresses the west wind (apostrophe) as a living personality who can hear him. He also personifies autumn and describes the west wind as the breath of autumn. What he means is that the west wind is the omnipresent spirit of autumn . The west wind is invisible but its power over the dead leaves can clearly be seen. The west wind drives the dead leaves before it just as a magician who drives away a ghost by his approach. The withered leaves are described as yellow , black , pale and hectic red (indicative of fever and decay). There are heaps of them and they seem to be afflicted with some disease.
Stanza 1 The west wind conveys the winged seeds to their dark beds where they remain lying ,like dead bodies in their graves, till the coming of spring. When it is spring , Azure , sister of spring , will blow her clarion over the dreaming earth and fill plain and hill with living hues and colours( driving sweet buds like flocks to feed in air). The poet employs metaphor when he describes how spring drives buds out of seeds to feed them in the open air ,just as a shepherd who takes his flock of sheep to feed in field . Spring is described as the sister of Autumn and of the west wind. But while Autumn is dull and gloomy , Spring is marked by light breeze and blue sky ( contrast ). As the west wind is blowing everywhere , the poet addresses it as destroyer &Preserver (Paradox).
Stanza 4 In this stanza , the poet establishes a connection between himself and the west wind. He wishes that he were a dead leaf , a swift cloud or a wave of the ocean to be carried away by the west wind. He feels a strong desire to taste the strength of the west wind . It is uncontrollable . It enjoys unlimited freedom . The poet too has a sense of freedom though he is not as free as the west wind . He recalls his boyhood when he could surpass the west wind in speed and how he used to accompany it in its wonderings over heaven (hyperbole ). But now he has lost his youthful vigor an d he is in need of a help . He appeals to the west wind to lift him as a leaf , a cloud or a wave because he has greatly suffered . He is bleeding on the thorns of life helplessly (metaphor ). Under the weight of hours (time or years ) , he feels crushed and he is in pains. Once he , too, was wild and uncontrollable and swift as the west wind but now he feels bent an d oppressed by miseries of life (contrast ).
Stanza 5 The poet appeals to the west wind to treat him as a lyre and to blow on him as it blows on the forest .Like the forest , he too is passing through the autumn of his life (metaphor). The west wind blowing on him and on the forest will produce a sad but sweet music . He appeals to the west wind to become his spirit because there is much in common between him and the west wind . He seeks a union with the forceful or fierce spirit of the west wind . He asks the west wind to scatter his dead thoughts compared to withered leaves (simile ) over the universe in order that these thoughts may bring about a new period in human history . He would like the west wind to broadcast over the whole world his prophecy about the coming of the Golden Age .Just as winter is surely followed in a natural course by spring , similarly misery and evil will be followed by an era of perfect happiness and beauty .
Stanza 5 The stanza reveals Shelley s revolutionary ideas . He wanted a revolution to sweep away old ways of life and bring about a change . Just as few sparks from a hearth may cause a fire somewhere , the magic of his words may bring about a revolution in the world.
