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 …

…poetry he reduces it’s initial impact by doing so. This decline and loss that is associated with composition is a significant part of Shelley’s poetry and leads him to be one of the most despairing poets of his time. Bibliography Leighton, Angela Shelley and the Sublime, London, 1984 O’Neill, Michael Shelley, London, 1993 Ridenour, George Shelley, New Jersey, 1965 Solve, Melvin Shelley: His theory of Poetry, New York, 1964 Strong, Archibald Three Studies in Shelley, London, 1921