Percy B. Shelley :: essays research papers

Percy Bysshe Shelley was born on August 4, 1792 to the extremely conventional Sir Timothy, who, being a man of influence, no doubt wanted his first born news to follow in his footsteps (Richards 671). Shelley, however, had much less conformist views, and was even ragged at Eton for expressing such (Matthews 196). He did not care to learn what his tyrants taught, but was fire rather, in science (which was outlawed from Eton at the time), Godwin, and the French skeptics. The rebellious nature persisted as he grew older and he developed a delight for argument (Matthews 195). This delight ultimately lead to his expulsion from Oxford because of his writing The Necessity of Atheism. His patience for authority continued to diminish, until he eventually developed a passion.Shelley wanted to involution tyranny, as well as slavery. His ultimate goal was to lead men to a life of freedom, love, and apprehension of the beautiful (Richards 672). Shelley felt that repression exist because mank ind instituted and tolerated it (Matthews 200). He believed that Mankind only had to will that there should be no evil, and there would be none (Ford 161). This idealistic view of the world is evident in the majority of Shelleys literary works.In 1819, Shelley wrote Song to the Men of England (Editors 610). This poem was written for the same purpose as many of his others to urge the working class of huge Britain to rebel. The imagery of a bee hive is evident throughout this piece. In stanza II, for instance, the tyrants are referred to as Those ungrateful drones who would / Drain the sweat - nay, drink the blood. In stanza III, a reservoir is made to the working class as the Base of England. The metaphor is picked up again in stanza VII, when Shelley orders the Men of England to shrink to their...cells (Editors 611). The most rebellion-inspiring lines are found in stanza VISow seed - but let no tyrant reapFind wealth, - let no impostor heapWeave robes, - let not the idle wearForg e arms, - in your defense to bear. (21-24)This is the second time, in this poem alone, that Shelley refers to the aristocrats and rulers of England as tyrants. This is evidence of his strong desire for political reform. He sincerely felt that the only way to gain freedom was by overthrowing entrenched order (Matthews 199).