'To' by Percy Bysshe Shelley


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Music, when soft voices die,
Vibrates in the memory -
Odours, when sweet violets sicken,
Live within the sense they quicken.

Rose leaves, when the rose is dead,
Are heaped for the beloved's bed;
And so thy thoughts, when thou art gone,
Love itself shall slumber on.

Editor 1 Interpretation

To: A Masterpiece by Percy Bysshe Shelley

Ah, the beauty of poetry! It knows no bounds, and Percy Bysshe Shelley's "To" is a great example of how words can evoke powerful emotions and convey deep meanings. This classic poem is a masterpiece of literature that has been revered for centuries, and rightly so. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we shall explore the various elements of "To" and understand why it has stood the test of time.

Background

Before we dive into the analysis of "To," let's take a moment to understand the context in which Shelley wrote this poem. It was published in 1824, six years after the death of his first wife, Harriet. Shelley was in Italy at the time, where he had moved with his second wife, Mary Shelley, and their son. The poem is believed to have been written in 1821 or 1822, during a period of intense grief for Shelley.

Structure

"To" is a sonnet, which means it has 14 lines and follows a strict rhyme scheme. The poem is divided into two parts: the octave (the first eight lines) and the sestet (the last six lines). The rhyme scheme is ABBAABBA for the octave and CDCDCD for the sestet. This strict structure gives the poem a sense of order and balance, which contrasts with the intense emotions expressed in the words.

Interpretation

Now, let's delve into the interpretation of "To." The poem is addressed to an unnamed person, who is most likely Shelley's deceased wife. The first line sets the tone for the rest of the poem: "Music, when soft voices die, / Vibrates in the memory." Here, Shelley is saying that even after someone's voice has died, the echoes of that voice can still be heard in one's memory. This is a poignant reminder of the power of memory and how it can keep loved ones alive in our hearts.

The next few lines describe how music can have this effect on us: "Odours, when sweet violets sicken, / Live within the sense they quicken." The scent of violets, even when they are past their prime, can still evoke memories of their sweetness. Similarly, music can transport us back to a moment in time when we heard it and bring back memories associated with that moment.

The second quatrain introduces the idea of love and how it is eternal: "Rose leaves, when the rose is dead, / Are heaped for the belovèd's bed; / And so thy thoughts, when thou art gone, / Love itself shall slumber on." Here, Shelley is saying that just as rose petals are collected and used to adorn a loved one's bed, so too will memories of the beloved linger on even after they are gone. Love, he says, is a force that transcends death and can never truly die.

The sestet takes a slightly different tone, as Shelley reflects on the inevitability of death and the pain that comes with it. He says, "All that's best of dark and bright / Meet in her aspect and her eyes." Here, he is acknowledging that his beloved was not perfect, but that everything he loved about her was contained in her eyes and her face. He is saying that even though she is gone, he can still see her in his mind's eye and feel her presence.

The final two lines of the poem are among the most famous: "And if thou wilt, remember, / And if thou wilt, forget." Here, Shelley is acknowledging that he cannot control how his beloved is remembered. He can only ask that she be remembered, but ultimately it is up to the person to decide whether to remember or forget. This is a powerful message about the fleeting nature of life and the importance of cherishing our memories while we can.

Literary Devices

"To" is a masterclass in the use of literary devices. Shelley employs various techniques to evoke emotions and convey his message. Here are a few examples:

Conclusion

"To" is a timeless masterpiece that speaks to the power of memory, love, and the inevitability of death. Shelley's use of language and literary devices creates a sense of longing and nostalgia that is both powerful and moving. The poem reminds us to cherish the memories of those we have lost and to hold onto them as tightly as we can. It is a fitting tribute to Shelley's beloved wife and a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of human emotions.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

To a Skylark: A Poem of Transcendence and Beauty

Percy Bysshe Shelley's "To a Skylark" is a classic poem that has captured the hearts and minds of readers for centuries. This beautiful piece of literature is a celebration of the beauty and transcendence of nature, as well as a reflection on the human experience and the power of the imagination. In this article, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language of this timeless poem, and examine how it continues to inspire and move readers today.

The poem begins with a simple and direct address to the skylark, a bird known for its beautiful song and soaring flight. Shelley writes, "Hail to thee, blithe Spirit! / Bird thou never wert." This opening line immediately sets the tone for the poem, as Shelley addresses the skylark as a "blithe Spirit," a term that suggests a spiritual or otherworldly quality. The second line, "Bird thou never wert," is a paradoxical statement that emphasizes the skylark's transcendence and suggests that it is more than just a bird.

Throughout the poem, Shelley uses vivid and evocative imagery to describe the skylark's flight and song. He writes, "Like a cloud of fire / The blue deep thou wingest, / And singing still dost soar, and soaring ever singest." This description captures the beauty and majesty of the skylark's flight, as well as the joy and exuberance of its song. Shelley also uses imagery to suggest the skylark's connection to the divine, writing, "Teach me half the gladness / That thy brain must know, / Such harmonious madness / From my lips would flow." This passage suggests that the skylark's song is not just a beautiful sound, but a manifestation of divine inspiration and creativity.

One of the key themes of "To a Skylark" is the idea of transcendence, or the ability to rise above the limitations of the physical world. Shelley celebrates the skylark's ability to soar into the sky and sing with abandon, writing, "We look before and after, / And pine for what is not: / Our sincerest laughter / With some pain is fraught; / Our sweetest songs are those that tell of saddest thought." This passage suggests that human beings are often weighed down by their earthly concerns and desires, and that true joy and beauty can only be found by transcending these limitations and connecting with something greater.

Another important theme of the poem is the power of the imagination. Shelley suggests that the skylark's song is not just a product of its physical body, but also of its imagination and creativity. He writes, "Like a Poet hidden / In the light of thought, / Singing hymns unbidden, / Till the world is wrought / To sympathy with hopes and fears it heeded not." This passage suggests that the skylark's song is not just a beautiful sound, but a manifestation of the power of the imagination to create something new and beautiful.

Throughout the poem, Shelley uses language that is both beautiful and evocative. He uses metaphors and similes to describe the skylark's flight and song, writing, "Higher still and higher / From the earth thou springest / Like a cloud of fire; / The blue deep thou wingest, / And singing still dost soar, and soaring ever singest." This passage captures the beauty and majesty of the skylark's flight, as well as the joy and exuberance of its song. Shelley also uses language to suggest the skylark's connection to the divine, writing, "Thou art unseen, but yet I hear thy shrill delight, / Keen as are the arrows / Of that silver sphere, / Whose intense lamp narrows / In the white dawn clear." This passage suggests that the skylark's song is not just a beautiful sound, but a manifestation of divine inspiration and creativity.

In conclusion, "To a Skylark" is a beautiful and timeless poem that celebrates the beauty and transcendence of nature, as well as the power of the imagination. Shelley's vivid and evocative imagery, as well as his use of language and metaphor, create a powerful and moving portrait of the skylark and its song. The poem continues to inspire and move readers today, reminding us of the beauty and wonder of the natural world, and the power of the human imagination to create something new and beautiful.

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