ENGL 2210 World Literature II

Shelley: Study Guide

1. What is the vantage point of the observer? From which point is he observing nature?
2. What kind of mood do the first two stanzas project?
3. How does the mood contrast with the title of the poem?
4. Notice the instances in the poem where nature is personified.
5. In the third stanza, point to the differences between the poet and others. Why do you think he does not find pleasure in things in life that most others find?
6. What is the poet's attitude toward death? (Last two stanzas).
7. What do you think is the poet's attitude toward dejection? Is it something to be avoided? Is it pleasurable?