Shelley's "Ode To The West Wind": Analysis

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Each like a corpse
within its grave, until/ Thine azure sister of the Spring shall blow" (7-
9). In the first line, Shelley use the phrase "winged seeds" which
presents images of flying and freedom. The only problem is that they lay
"cold and low" or unnourished or not elevated. He likens this with a
feeling of being trapped. The important word is "seeds" for it shows that
even in death, new life will grow out of the "grave." The phrase "winged
seeds" also brings images of religions, angels, and/or souls that continue
to create new life. Heavenly images are confirmed by his use of the word
"azure" which besides meaning sky blue, also is defined, in Webster's
Dictionary, as an "unclouded vault of heaven." The word "azure," coupled
with the word "Spring," helps show Shelley's view of rejuvenation. The
word "Spring" besides being a literary metaphor for rebirth also means to
rise up. In line 9, Shelley uses soft sounding phrases to communicate the
blowing of the wind. This ...

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obtuse phrasing to frighten the reader and to show the long breath
of the wind. Shelley wants the reader to visualize the "dome" as having a
presence like a volcano. And when the "dome" does "burst," it will act as
a "Destroyer and Preserver" and creator. The use of the words "Black rain
and fire and hail..." (28) also helps the reader prepare for the
apocalyptic climax which Shelley intended.

As the rising action continues, Shelley talks of the
"Mediterranean" (31) and its "summer dreams" (30). In the dream, the
reader finds the sea laying "Beside a pumice isle in Baiae's bay/ And saw
in sleep old palaces and towers/ Quivering within the wave's intenser day"
(32-34). Shelley ...

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