'To Jane' by Percy Bysshe Shelley

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The keen stars were twinkling
And the fair moon was rising among them,
Dear Jane:
The guitar was tinkling,
But the notes were not sweet till you sung them
Again.
As the moon's soft splendor
O'er the faint cold starlight of heaven
Is thrown,
So your voice most tender
To the strings without soul had then given
Its own.

The stars will awaken,
Though the moon sleep a full hour later,
Tonight;
No leaf will be shaken
Whilst the dews of your melody scatter
Delight.
Though the sound overpowers,
Sing again, with your dear voice revealing
A tone
Of some world far from ours
Where music and moonlight and feeling
Are one.

Editor 1 Interpretation

To Jane by Percy Bysshe Shelley: A Literary Criticism

Are you looking for a poem that captures the essence of love, loss, and longing? Look no further than Percy Bysshe Shelley's "To Jane." In this poem, Shelley writes about his love for a woman named Jane, who has died. Despite her absence, Shelley's passion and tenderness for her still shine through in his writing.

Background on Percy Bysshe Shelley

Before diving into the poem, it's essential to understand who Shelley was as a poet. Shelley was an influential English Romantic poet who lived from 1792 to 1822. During his short life, he wrote some of the most notable poems in the English language, such as "Ozymandias," "Ode to the West Wind," and "To a Skylark."

Shelley's work often focused on themes of love, freedom, and the power of the imagination. His writing was also heavily influenced by his political views, as he was a staunch advocate for democracy and social justice.

Overview of the Poem

"To Jane" is a love poem that Shelley wrote for his wife's cousin, Jane Williams. The poem was written in 1822, shortly after Jane's death. Shelley and Jane had a close relationship, and her death deeply affected him.

The poem is written in the form of a letter, with Shelley addressing Jane directly. In the opening lines, he speaks of her beauty and the love that he had for her:

And genii of the evening breeze,
And gentle ghosts, with eyes as fair
As star-beams among twilight trees:
Such lovely ministers to meet
Oft hast thou turned from men thy lonely feet.```

Shelley goes on to describe how he feels lost without Jane, and how his love for her has not diminished, even after her death:

```Alone, the dewy woods we sought,
Alone, thy visions came,
And still, as under the bud's soft coat
The full-blown rose had hidden its shame,
In thy breast the wondrous glory,
Of pictured dreams, that pass, and yet abide like holy poetry.```

The poem concludes with Shelley expressing his hope that he will be reunited with Jane in the afterlife. He speaks of their love being eternal and unchanging:

```Nor thus for thee, beloved, shall mine
The tears of hopeless anguish pour;
Morning shall break, and Spring shall shine,
Before me with her golden store,
And Summer dress her glowing hair
Before we meet in joy, to part no more!```

## **Analysis of the Poem**

"To Jane" is a powerful love poem that is rich in symbolism and imagery. Shelley uses vivid descriptions to paint a picture of his love for Jane and the pain he feels at her loss.

One of the most striking elements of the poem is the imagery that Shelley uses to describe Jane. He speaks of her as a "star" and a "gentle ghost," emphasizing her otherworldly beauty and the way that she transcends the mortal world. This imagery is particularly poignant given that Jane has passed away and is no longer present in the physical world.

Along with the supernatural imagery, Shelley also uses natural imagery throughout the poem. He speaks of "dewy woods" and "twilight trees," painting a picture of a peaceful and idyllic natural setting. This imagery stands in contrast to the pain and sorrow that Shelley feels at Jane's loss, emphasizing the idea that the natural world can be a source of comfort and solace in times of grief.

Another noteworthy element of the poem is the use of repetition. Shelley repeats phrases such as "alone" and "O Jane!" throughout the poem, emphasizing the sense of loneliness and longing that he feels. This repetition also serves to create a sense of rhythm and musicality in the poem, adding to its emotional impact.

One of the most powerful aspects of the poem is the way that Shelley speaks of love as being eternal and unchanging. He expresses his belief that he will be reunited with Jane in the afterlife and that their love will endure beyond death. This theme of eternal love is a common one in Romantic poetry, and it speaks to the idea that love can transcend the physical world and endure even after death.

## **Conclusion**

"To Jane" is a beautiful and poignant love poem that speaks to the power of love and the pain of loss. Shelley's use of vivid imagery and repetition creates a sense of emotional intensity that is hard to ignore. The poem is a testament to the enduring power of love, even in the face of death, and it is a beautiful example of Shelley's skill as a poet.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry To Jane: An Ode to Love and Inspiration

Percy Bysshe Shelley, one of the greatest poets of the Romantic era, was known for his passionate and revolutionary poetry. His works were often inspired by his personal experiences, his political beliefs, and his love for nature and beauty. Among his many famous poems, "Poetry To Jane" stands out as a beautiful ode to love and inspiration.

"Poetry To Jane" was written in 1822, during Shelley's exile in Italy. The poem is addressed to his wife, Mary Shelley's stepsister, Jane Williams. Shelley had met Jane and her husband, Edward Williams, in 1816, and the two couples had become close friends. However, in 1822, Edward drowned in a boating accident, leaving Jane devastated. Shelley wrote "Poetry To Jane" as a tribute to her and as a way to express his own grief and love.

The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with a different theme and tone. The first stanza is a celebration of the power and beauty of poetry. Shelley begins by addressing Jane as "Muse of my heart," acknowledging her as the source of his inspiration. He then describes poetry as a "voice of the soul," a divine force that can "awaken the spirit's purest fire." Shelley's language is rich and musical, full of alliteration, assonance, and metaphors. He compares poetry to a "star" that "guides the wanderer's way," to a "lightning" that "flashes from heaven to heaven," and to a "fountain" that "gushes forever new." Shelley's imagery is vivid and powerful, evoking the beauty and mystery of the natural world.

The second stanza is more personal and emotional. Shelley addresses Jane directly, expressing his love and admiration for her. He describes her as a "soul of love," a "spirit of delight," and a "breath of heaven." He praises her beauty, her kindness, and her intelligence. He also acknowledges her pain and sorrow, and offers her comfort and support. Shelley's language is tender and heartfelt, full of affectionate terms and gentle rhythms. He uses repetition and parallelism to emphasize his feelings, as in the lines "Thou art the wine whose drunkenness is all / We can desire, O Love! and happy they / Who, like us, with thy beauty are enamoured."

The third stanza is a meditation on the nature of love and death. Shelley begins by addressing the "mighty dead," the great poets and thinkers who have passed away but whose works still inspire and enlighten us. He then compares their legacy to the love and memory that we leave behind when we die. He argues that love is the only true immortality, the only way to transcend the limitations of time and space. He concludes by addressing Jane again, urging her to cherish their love and to find solace in the thought that they will be reunited in death. Shelley's language is philosophical and visionary, full of abstract concepts and grand ideas. He uses rhetorical questions, paradoxes, and antitheses to explore the mysteries of life and death.

Overall, "Poetry To Jane" is a masterpiece of Romantic poetry, full of passion, beauty, and wisdom. Shelley's language is rich and musical, his imagery is vivid and powerful, and his ideas are profound and inspiring. The poem is a tribute to the power of love and poetry, and a testament to the enduring human spirit. It is a reminder that even in the darkest moments of life, we can find hope and inspiration in the beauty and mystery of the world around us.

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