Give a critical appreciation of Ode to The West Wind.

Ans.

The Ode to the West Wind was written in the early part of October 1819. It was published in 1820. The Ode is one of the finest lyrics in English Literature. It is an epoch-making poem, according to Dr. Dobson, which, not only elevates the poet’s lofty conception of poetic art, but immortalize the very Truth of Poetry and its celestial sublimity.

Nowhere in the entire range of English poetry does any song haunt the heart, captivate the soul, fascinate the mind sanctify the purity of radiant optimist, as Shelley’s Ode to the West Wind does. It is the Ode of all odes. Poem of all poems and hope of all hopes.

The Ode is most characteristic of Shelley’s revolutionary fervour and his idealism. The sweep and flow of the verse in this poem has something of the force and temptatious rush of the West Wind itself rest mark the fury of the wind is so terrible that subterranean foliage of the Mediterranean sea turn pale with fear:

“The sea, blows and Oozy woods which wear

The Sapless foliage of the ocean, know

The voice suddenly grow grey with fear,

And tremble and despoil themselves. Oh, dear.”

Nowhere in this Ode does torrent of similes, metaphors and symbols pause for a moment or is there any feeling of arrested speed or desent to the commonplace. Mark the use or beautiful similes and metaphors.

“Make me thy lyre, even, as the forest is:

What if my leaves are falling like its own?”

(Metaphor)

The Ode is profuse in lyricism and there is no song in the whole of English literature more passionate, more penetrative and more full of the force by which the idea and the song are united into one creation. S. A. Brooke calls it “the lyric of Lyrics. It is the hymn of our own world.” In this Ode Shelley has achieved the remarkable union of lyrical breadth with lyrical intensity unsurpassed in English song.

The Ode illustrates Shelley’s Love of Nature in the poem there is perfect union between the poet’s spirit and the force of nature. He invests the West Wind with Life and Intellect. It is a living Force…destroyer as well as Preserver. Thus, according to the poet, Nature has both the aspects- constructive as well as destructive.

The Ode to the West Wind has a magnificent structure. Here Shelley’s art and ideas are wedded in indissoluble union so that they cannot be judged apart. It is a faultless work of art. It is distinguished by no dazzling gorgeousness of phrase, its epithets are few and simple, and its expression is austere. Its nervous delicacy and overflowing imagination lift it to an undisputed point of artistic excellence.

The Ode is symbol of change, strength and energy, revolution and hope. Just mark:

“The trumpet of prophecy! Wind.

If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?”

Nowhere does Shelley’s voice reach a more poignantly personal note or more perfect spontaneity than in “The Ode to the West Wind’. In this Ode we find a strange fusion of Pessimism and Optimism. It is also a song dealing with the regeneration of mankind.

“Drive my dead thought over the universe

Like withered leaves to quicken a new birth.”

The meter of the Ode is terima and Shelley has managed it with perfect mastery.