Ode to the West Wind

A detailed Summary of Ode to the West Wind

Theme :- Inspiration in "Ode to the West Wind"

"When composition begins, inspiration is already on the decline" - P. B. Shelley

Shelley deals with the theme of inspiration in much of his work. However it is particularly apparent in 'Ode to the West Wind' where the wind is the source of his creativity. The cycles of death and rebirth are examined in an historical context with reference to The Bible. The word inspiration has several connotations that Shelley uses in this 'Ode'. Inspiration is literally 'taking in breath' and wind, breath, soul and inspiration are all identical or related in Hebrew, Latin and Greek. They are all closely related in 'Ode to a West Wind'.

Shelley's adaptation of Dante's work is evident throughout most of his writing. In 'Ode to the West Wind' it is quite apparent. He was writing this poem in a wood on the outskirts of Arno, near Florence, which is Dante's hometown. The use of the terza rima poem is

Shelley's most obvious adaptation of Dante and he relies upon Dantesque ideas to write his poetry. The image of the leaves being blown by the wind "like ghosts from an enchanter fleeing"(l.3) depends on the Inferno in Paradiso for the image to have an effect on the reader.

f death and rebirth are examined with reference to the Maenads who were fabled to have destroyed Orpheus's body and spread it around the world. This is the underlying theme to the poem with Shelley alluding to the breaking of Christ's body on the cross and how that was essential for humanity to reach salvation. The onslaught of Autumn is the 'Destroyer' in one sense but also the 'Preserver' as it forms an intricate part of the cycle of life and death. Without the death of Jesus Christ the world would not have been saved and so for life to exist so too must death.

The wind is Shelley's inspiration in writing the Ode but the conflict between inspiration and composition results in loss. By trying to capture the source of his inspiration, the wind, Shelley has reduced its value - "writing is thus by its very nature a process of loss" . Shelley was caught in a vicious catch 22 because the relationship between composition and inspiration is one of decline and loss. By attempting to emulate the wind it is impossible to recreate the beauty and power that originally inspired Shelley to write the poem. This can never be resolved as the essence of the wind is not captured by the poem and it only becomes a poor imitation. The process of writing about the wind also accentuates the distinction between Shelley and his inspiration. Intrinsic in the art of poetry is the underlying truth that nature's voices are distinct from man's writing and this is inescapable according to Shelley. By addressing the wind, "Wild Spirit ... hear, oh, hear!"(ll. 13,14), the source of his inspiration, he illustrates the chasm between the author and his subject. The poem alludes to the wind of nature as being his breath. However the breath that Shelley uses to speak cannot be identified with the 'wild spirit' if it has to beg it to listen. This is why Shelley is the most despairing of the Romantic poets as no matter how glorious his work is it still fares as a pale comparison to the original. The wind is his inspiration but his earthbound and human condition prevents him from ever experiencing that which 'a wave, a leaf, a cloud' can. His condition enables him to reflect on these possibilities but it's a double-edged sword as they also mean he can't transcend his own life.

Solve, Melvin Shelley: His theo

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Approximate Word count = 1543
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English