1, time background
Ode to the west wind is one of Shelley's "three great poems", written in 18 19. At that time, the workers' movements and revolutionary movements in European countries were surging. In order to fight for their right to exist, the British working class is waging a heroic struggle against the bourgeoisie, with machine destruction and strikes one after another. 18 19 In August, 80,000 workers in Manchester held a massive demonstration, and the reactionary authorities competed to send troops to brutally suppress it, creating the famous Petrou Massacre in history. Shelley, full of grief and indignation, wrote a long poem "Masked Parade Tyranny" and made a solemn protest against the bloody atrocities of the bourgeois government. Since the collapse of Napoleon's monarchy and the restoration of Bourbon Dynasty in France, class contradictions have been extremely acute, and the broad masses of the people are brewing a revolutionary struggle against the feudal restoration forces. The disintegration of Napoleon's empire also greatly promoted the Spanish people's revolutionary movement against alien oppression and feudal autocracy. 18 19 1 Finally, the gunfire of an armed uprising rang out. On the eve of the armed uprising, Heine presented an ode to the Spanish people and sounded the horn for the Spanish revolution. In Italy and Greece, the national liberation movement is in the ascendant. Shortly after the publication of Shelley's ode to the west wind, vigorous armed uprisings broke out in these two countries. Facing the revolutionary situation in Europe, Shelley was encouraged and excited. At this time, triggered by a stormy natural scene, this uncontrollable passion immediately rushed out of the chest and poured into a passionate and generous singing. At this time, the poet was living in Italy and was at the peak of his creation.
2. Creative inspiration
According to Shelley's own notes: "This poem was conceived in a forest on the banks of the Arno River near Florence, and the main part was written there. On that day, the warm and exciting wind that gave birth to the storm gathered the clouds of autumn rain that often poured down. Unsurprisingly, the rain started at sunset, and the storm was accompanied by hail, accompanied by magnificent lightning and thunder unique to southern alps. " This magnificent movement of nature, which purified the earth and shocked the world, inspired the poet. Thus, the storms of nature and the world were born together in his works, pouring into passionate and generous songs, and his most famous lyric short poem "ode to the west wind" was born.
Second, the west wind symbolizes the revolutionary force.
Three. Introduction to the work:
Ode to the west wind is a poem by Shelley, an English romantic poet. The whole poem consists of five sections, which are always sung around the west wind as a symbol of revolutionary power. The first section describes the power and function of the west wind, and the line 14 points out the destroyer and protector, which are two themes throughout the poem. The second poem uses clouds, rain, hail and lightning to describe the power of the west wind; The third section writes that the west wind acts on waves; The fourth section is about the feelings brought by the west wind to the poet. The poet told Xifeng that he hoped to be carried away by the wind like a dead leaf. Although he is not as free as the unruly rain and wind, he can also share its fierce power. In the last poem, the poet asked Xifeng to help him clear his lethargy, spread his poems to all directions, and awaken the sleeping earth. The last two sentences "If winter comes, can spring be far behind?" It is predicted that the spring of revolution will come soon, which brings encouragement and hope to people living in darkness and difficulties. This poem expresses the poet's hatred of reactionary and decadent forces, his ardent hope and firm belief that the revolution will eventually win and a bright future, and profoundly reveals the objective law that new things will surely overcome old things. The whole poem is magnificent and has a strong revolutionary romanticism. Symbols and fables are used throughout, which have far-reaching implications.