Percy Bysshe Shelley was sent down from the University of Oxford on the 25th of March, 1811, for publishing the pamphlet The Necessity of Atheism.
Percy Bysshe Shelley, one of the most impactful figures of the Romantic era, continues to mesmerise readers with his profound, visionary poetry and radical beliefs. Born on the 4th of August, 1792, in Horsham, Sussex, Shelley was destined to challenge societal norms and become one of the era’s most poignant voices, despite a life marked by controversy and tragedy.
Shelley hailed from a wealthy, aristocratic family, which allowed him access to a quality education. He attended Eton College, where he was notorious for his non-conformist ideas, and later enrolled at Oxford University. His time at Oxford was short-lived; he was expelled in 1811 after co-authoring The Necessity of Atheism a pamphlet that provoked the conservative establishment of the time. This expulsion, however, was just a precursor to his lifelong rebellion against conventional societal values.
Shelley’s early works, like “Queen Mab,” reveal his revolutionary zeal and anti-establishment views. They critique religion, politics, and society’s moral decay. His marriage to Harriet Westbrook at 19, did little to settle his spirit. Shelley’s encounters with radical thinkers like philosopher William Godwin and exposure to contemporary scientific developments fuelled his belief in change and reform.
In 1814, Shelley formed a pivotal relationship with Mary Godwin, daughter of William Godwin and feminist philosopher Mary Wollstonecraft. Together, they embarked on a European journey that profoundly influenced their works. Shelley’s elopement with Mary scandalised society, especially after Harriet, his estranged wife, tragically drowned in 1816.
During this period, Shelley produced some of his most significant works, reflecting his quest for truth and beauty. His poetry, characterised by a passionate pursuit of the sublime and a yearning for human freedom, often explored themes of nature, politics, and the human condition. “Ozymandias,” one of his most celebrated sonnets, contemplates the inevitable decline of leaders and empires, contrasting human pride with nature’s timeless and impartial force.
Shelley’s lyrical prowess shines in To a Skylark, where he contrasts the transcendental joy of the skylark with human desolation, capturing the ineffable beauty of nature and the limitations of human experience. Similarly, Ode to the West Wind embodies Shelley’s revolutionary spirit, using the wind as a metaphor for change and renewal, a force that sweeps away the old to make way for the new.
Beyond his poetry, Shelley’s incisive prose works, such as A Defence of Poetry, reflect his belief in poetry as a transformative force in society, akin to the role of the poet as a ‘unacknowledged legislator of the world’. Shelley viewed poets as visionaries, essential for guiding humanity towards truth and enlightenment.
Shelley’s personal life, marked by both passion and sorrow, mirrored the intensity of his writing. His relationship with Mary was both a source of inspiration and conflict. They endured the deaths of several children, which cast a shadow over their intense intellectual partnership. Despite these personal tragedies, Shelley’s resolve to challenge and inspire never waned.
Tragically, Shelley’s life was cut short at the age of 29 when he drowned in a boating accident off the coast of Italy in 1822. His untimely death robbed the world of a brilliant mind, yet his legacy endures through his profound contributions to literature and philosophy.
Today, Shelley is celebrated as a pioneering figure of Romanticism, whose works continue to inspire discussions on freedom, nature, and the human psyche. His fearless challenge to authority, his poignant exploration of human emotion, and his quest for a more just and beautiful world resonate with new generations, cementing his place as a timeless and influential poet.
In exploring the life and legacy of Percy Bysshe Shelley, one cannot help but be moved by his relentless quest for beauty and truth. His works remain a testament to the power of poetry to provoke thought, inspire change, and transcend time.