Beste Haskan
ELTS Post-Graduate Conference
Çankaya University
May 2012
Abstract
TO INSPIRE OR TO BE INSPIRED: THE QUESTION OF INSPIRATION IN SHELLEY’S
‘TO A SKY-LARK’ AND ‘ODE TO THE WEST WIND’
An undeniably big contributor to Romantic poetry, Percy Bysshe Shelley does often
follow in his predecessors’ footsteps in his verses. The manifestation of his peculiar relation
with nature is compatible with what is expected from a Romantic poet. Nature, in its purest
sense, is the ultimate source of inspiration, through which he conveys his artistic thoughts or
philosophical and political speculations. While being no exceptions to this, the poems entitled
‘To a Sky-lark’ and ‘Ode to the West Wind’ seem more concerned with the mysterious,
enigmatic and even unseen aspects of nature, which are obviously hard to define and perceive;
but, for that very reason perhaps, more stimulating. Already a significant romantic theme, the
concept of artistic inspiration in the above-mentioned poems is two dimensional; that is
having been moved by nature/natural things, Shelley then articulates his emotions in a manner
that is meant to inspire other people, largely politically. Hence, his verse should not only be
read for its artistic quality; but must also be analyzed when necessary as Shelley’s social and
political propaganda. My paper will be looking at the dynamics of inspiration in Shelley’s two
particular poems, ‘To a Sky-Lark’ and ‘Ode to the West Wind’ in the light of the above
suggested topics with references to secondary sources.