“A Defense of Poetry” By: Taylor Hamm

“A Defense Of Poetry” Percy Shelley wrote this poem after reading a composition where one of his friends and another poet claimed that poetry no longer had a place in society. He believed that this view was really becoming widely accepted. So in response Shelley wrote “A Defense of Poetry” to show that poetry was valuable. Shelley argues that poetry brings about moral good.

The unseen poet Throughout a lot of Shelley’s poetry he talks about the poet being somebody that uses his imagination to create a unity in all things. Shelley believes that the greatest poets share there wisdom with society but remain away and unseen by society. In “A Defense of Poetry” Shelley says that poets should be like nightingales and share there art with the world but stay hidden from view.

The Power of Poetry Shelley was a romantic poet so he strongly believed in the power of poetry. He makes this very clear in the opening paragraph of the story. He describes the poets role in shaping society and says that no one, not even the poet can truly understand the power of poetry. He also mentions that poets write for the future not for their generation.

Percy Shelley’s Wish Shelly’s wish in “A Defense of Poetry” was that poetry could bring harmony and unity to the world. What Shelley believes should give a poet pleasure is knowing that hi poetry has aided men in finding meaning and harmony in the world.

Sources Literature book pages