Concetti Chiave
- Shelley, born in 1792 into an aristocratic family, was known for his sensitivity and faced challenges during his studies at Eton and Oxford.
- His expulsion from Oxford in 1810, due to his radical views expressed in "The necessity of atheism," led to family estrangement and a move to London.
- Shelley's romantic and intellectual partnership with Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin began in 1813, leading to their travels in Europe and eventual marriage.
- While living in Italy, Shelley produced some of his most acclaimed works, including "Ode to the West Wind" and "Prometheus Unbound."
- Shelley's poetry often explores themes of love, freedom, and a pantheistic view of nature, reflecting his philosophical and literary influences.
Childhood and Studies of Shelley
Shelley was born in 1792, in an aristocratic family. When he was a young boy he was an extremely sensitive person. He studied at Eton. He didn’t have a very happy period there because the other students called him “the mad Shelley”.
At Oxford he started reading gothic novels that were very popular in that period. He agreed with Godwin about his radical view of society. In 1810 he was expelled from Oxford university because he had written a pamphlet called “The necessity of atheism” and his family decided didn’t gave him any money anymore. So he went to London where he met his sister’s friend Harriet Westbrook and he fall in love with her. They got married in Scotland, but after three years Shelley left her alone with their daughter.
Meeting Mary and Life in Europe
In 1813 he met Godwin and at his home he met Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin, the daughter of Godwin. Shelley fall in love with her and they went to France together and then to Switzerland. They had the same believes, the same interests. Then they came back to England and they had a child. Soon after they went to Switzerland and there Shelley received a terrible piece of new: his first wife committed suicide and this was a shock for him also because they had two children. He tried to assume the custody of these children but he didn’t see them anymore. Then he got married with Mary and they had another child, a girl.
Life in Italy and Main Works
After he settled with his family to Italy, in Pisa, where his second child died, so they moved to Liguria. During this period Shelley wrote much of his best works as “Ode to the west wind”, “A defence of poetry”, “Prometheus unbound” that was a lyrical drama, “Adonais” that was an elegy written after the death of Keats.
Shelley died in 1822.
Themes of his poetry:
• Love and freedom: Shelley was a great admirer of Platon and he shared with him the complete separation of world of senses and supersensitive world. Also for him love should be free from all the superstitions;
• • Nature: he believed that nature was a living being as man and that is endowed with a soul, so Shelley had a pantheistic vision.
Domande da interrogazione
- What challenges did Shelley face during his education, and how did they influence his later life?
- How did Shelley's relationships influence his life and work?
- What are the central themes in Shelley's poetry, and how do they reflect his philosophical beliefs?
Shelley faced significant challenges during his education, including being ostracized at Eton, where he was nicknamed "the mad Shelley." His radical views led to his expulsion from Oxford after publishing "The necessity of atheism," which resulted in financial estrangement from his family. These experiences shaped his rebellious spirit and influenced his later works and personal life.
Shelley's relationships had a profound impact on his life and work. His marriage to Harriet Westbrook ended tragically, influencing his emotional state and writings. His subsequent relationship with Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin, whom he married after Harriet's suicide, was marked by shared beliefs and interests, leading to collaborative creativity and significant literary output during their time in Europe.
Central themes in Shelley's poetry include love and freedom, and nature. He admired Plato's ideas, advocating for love free from superstition. His pantheistic view of nature as a living being with a soul reflects his belief in the interconnectedness of all life, which is evident in works like "Ode to the West Wind" and "Prometheus Unbound."
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