Wednesday, January 25, 2012
England in 1819
Shelley’s anger with the political powers and the disregard for liberty come across not only in the content of his poem, “England in 1819,” but also in the form of this poem. The first part of the poem discusses people in powerful positions, such as the king and the princes, whereas the second part of the poem discusses everyone else in England. This is the opposite way of how liberty and issues of the common people should be dealt with in this English society. His metaphors hit the reader head-on as he calls the nobles leeches in muddy water and the army as a two-edged sword. His personal opinions are very apparent; however, I think the most interesting part of his poem is the final couplet in which he states, “…from which a glorious Phantom may Burst, to illuminate our tempestuous day.” Throughout the poem, Shelley discussed the disarray that pervaded England, yet ends with a hope for better days when order would be restored and England would be rescued from this “tempestuous day.”
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I too was interested by Shelley's "England in 1819". In particular, like Libby, I think Shelley's final couplet is quite confusing considering the tragic and critical observations he has made thus far. Given his remarks about the Kings, princes, and starving people, the poem ought to end in a very pessimistic tone. Interestingly enough, Shelley's view of England contrasts greatly with traditionalists like Burke. The institutions that Burke puts all his faith in for the betterment and prosperity of the country are the same institutions that Shelley so harshly condemns. Yet, still the interesting turn at the end-- what do we make of this? I think the easiest way to explain it is to relate it to the French Revolution. Perhaps like other writers, we have studied thus far, Shelley still believes that some of the principles of liberty and equality could "illuminate" England.
ReplyDeleteThe final couplet of "England in 1819" also struck me as the most significant part of the poem due to its sharp contrast with the preceding lines, which essentially lists grievances against Britain and its government. Despite the thirty year time difference between this poem and Coleridge's "Fears in Solitude," Shelley seems to be reflecting Coleridge's mixed feelings about Britain during the French invasion. Whereas he condemns the country's "Rulers who neither see, nor feel, nor know" and their "Golden and sanguine laws which tempt and slay," he maintains a halfhearted hope, like Coleridge, that these will be overtaken by a "glorious Phantom" likely hailing from France.
ReplyDelete