Ode to the West Wind Lecture 11

Part 3 – Effect on Water Thou who didst waken from his summer dreams The blue Mediterranean, where he lay, Lulled by the coil of his crystalline streams, The West Wind disturbs the peace and calm of the Mediterranean sea while he was slumbering, lulled by the sound of its own running waters.

Beside a pumice isle in Baiae's bay, And saw in sleep old palaces and towers Quivering within the wave's intenser day, Baiae – an old Italian town once holiday resort for the Romans, it sank due to volcanic eruption and now a lush under water garden. Pumice – hardened lava The Mediterranean dreamt of old glory & quivered under the effect of West Wind.

All overgrown with azure moss and flowers So sweet, the sense faints picturing them! The destroyed city now lay covered in moss and under water plantation.

Thou For whose path the Atlantic's level powers Cleave themselves into chasms, The West Wind causes deep chasms in the Atlantic Ocean by its power.

while far below The sea-blooms and the oozy woods which wear The sapless foliage of the ocean, The plants in the oceans also experience cyclic death in the autumn season. Sea foliage is sapless meaning dead.

know Thy voice, and suddenly grow grey with fear, And tremble and despoil themselves: O hear! West Wind blows death whistle for the sea foliage also.

PART 4 – Seeking Inspiration If I were a dead leaf thou mightest bear; If I were a swift cloud to fly with thee; A wave to pant beneath thy power, He wishes to be inspired and effected by the West Wind like everything else.

and share The impulse of thy strength, only less free Than thou, O Uncontrollable! Wants the power and freedom of the West Wind.

If even I were as in my boyhood, and could be The comrade of thy wanderings over Heaven, In his youth he could match the speed of the West Wind.

As then, when to outstrip thy skiey speed Scarce seemed a vision; I would ne'er have striven As thus with thee in prayer in my sore need. Now he lacks the power and strength to challenge the West Wind.

Oh. lift me as a wave, a leaf, a cloud. I fall upon the thorns of life Oh! lift me as a wave, a leaf, a cloud! I fall upon the thorns of life! I bleed! Beautiful lines – describe his state of misery and wants to be lifted by the Wind. Vision of Christ during crucifiction.

A heavy weight of hours has chained and bowed One too like thee: tameless, and swift, and proud. Time has changed the poet from what he once was – like the West Wind.

PART 5 – Seeks Spiritual Inspiration Make me thy lyre, even as the forest is: What if my leaves are falling like its own! Eolian lyre or harp is a musical instrument. A box with strings stretched when wind passes Eolian harp produces musical sound. Form Eolus, god of winds. Even as – like Just like the whole forest is stirred by the West Wind, he too wants to be part of it.

The tumult of thy mighty harmonies Will take from both a deep, autumnal tone, Sweet though in sadness. The joy of restoring balances, gives sweet sensation.

Be thou, Spirit fierce, My spirit! Be thou me, impetuous one! impetuous: impulsive

Drive my dead thoughts over the universe Like withered leaves to quicken a new birth! Compares his thoughts with leaves. A new birth – refers to his poetic art.

And, by the incantation of this verse, Scatter, as from an unextinguished hearth Ashes and sparks, my words among mankind! Wants his words to have the power to change ideas, to inspire new thoughts. Simile of a slow burning, simmering fireplace.

Be through my lips to unawakened Earth The trumpet of a prophecy Be through my lips to unawakened Earth The trumpet of a prophecy! O Wind, If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind? Like the dooms day when the whole earth will awaken to the sound of trumpet.

SUMMARY The West Wind is used for its power to change the natural world. Poet too wants reform in society. Themes are: revolutionary spirit, poet’s expression and personal belief, power of the natural world, role of poet and poetry, optimism and hope for better future.