Percy Bysshe Shelley Controversy
Percy Bysshe Shelley
Percy Bysshe Shelley, or known as Percy Shelley, was an English romantic poet known for his long-verse poems. Shelley was also famous for many controversial works that include the topics of political and social issues, all of which were negative to some and brave to others. All authors have a story to be told, but what is Shelley's? Percy Shelley was born in Field Place, England on August 4th, 1972 to Timothy Shelley and Elizabeth Pilfold. His father was a squire and a member of parliament, which meant he had a seat in parliament reserved for him (Percy Bysshe Shelley). At such an early age, Shelley was involved with nature, this contributed to his interests that would later turn into literary work. Despite being so …show more content…
The school was overall a better studying environment as opposed to Eton college. Shortly after his admission to Oxford, he was summoned to the office along with his close friend who was also the co-writer of a pamphlet called The Necessity of Atheism, the reason they were summoned to begin with. The pamphlet included a statement such as "…. The mind cannot believe in the existence of a god". This form of thinking was uncommon and very unpopular. This astounded the college staff so much that they demanded to know the author of this blasphemy. The two young men were asked to take responsibility of this work or to deny authorship. Shelley did not take responsibility or deny so he was expelled as a result. His parents were disappointed to hear about this, they implored him to desert his ideology which included vegetarianism, sexual freedom, and political radicalism. to make things worse with his parents, Shelley engaged in a relationship with Harriet Westbrook, a girl his parents forbade him from seeing. However, he was soon uninterested in her and soon began falling for a schoolteacher. This woman inspired his first major poem, Queen Mab. To conclude his adolescence, Shelley wrote many political pamphlets which he distributed by unnatural means that included putting the pamphlets in glass bottles and paper boats. In 1812 Shelley met a man he highly respected, William Godwin, a radical political philosopher that would later …show more content…
In 1817, Shelley produced Laon and Cythna, a long narrative poem that contained references to incest as well as attacks on religion due to this it was withdrawn after only a few copies were published. It was later edited and reissued as The Revolt of Islam and is easily recognized as one of his major works. Shelley wrote Prometheus Unbound, a lyrical drama that is one of his best works which was published in 1820. The drama includes ideas of death like "Death is the veil which those who live call life; They sleep, and it is lifted" (Prometheus Unbound). Shelley died an unexpected death and as time recalls, it was too early for him to die. While Shelley was returning to a city he had previously been before. He drowned. There is many speculations and conspiracies about his mysterious and sudden death. Shelley's death was reported as an accident, but many believe he was murdered by someone that disagreed with his political views. Mary was not able to attend his funeral. His ashes were buried in a Protestant cemetery in Rome (Percy Bysshe Shelley).
Despite Shelley's troubled love life and acquaintance with death, he wrote many great philosophical poems and narratives. He was controversial and outspoken for his time, a one of a kind type person. His story has been told, so live
Percy Bysshe Shelley, or known as Percy Shelley, was an English romantic poet known for his long-verse poems. Shelley was also famous for many controversial works that include the topics of political and social issues, all of which were negative to some and brave to others. All authors have a story to be told, but what is Shelley's? Percy Shelley was born in Field Place, England on August 4th, 1972 to Timothy Shelley and Elizabeth Pilfold. His father was a squire and a member of parliament, which meant he had a seat in parliament reserved for him (Percy Bysshe Shelley). At such an early age, Shelley was involved with nature, this contributed to his interests that would later turn into literary work. Despite being so …show more content…
The school was overall a better studying environment as opposed to Eton college. Shortly after his admission to Oxford, he was summoned to the office along with his close friend who was also the co-writer of a pamphlet called The Necessity of Atheism, the reason they were summoned to begin with. The pamphlet included a statement such as "…. The mind cannot believe in the existence of a god". This form of thinking was uncommon and very unpopular. This astounded the college staff so much that they demanded to know the author of this blasphemy. The two young men were asked to take responsibility of this work or to deny authorship. Shelley did not take responsibility or deny so he was expelled as a result. His parents were disappointed to hear about this, they implored him to desert his ideology which included vegetarianism, sexual freedom, and political radicalism. to make things worse with his parents, Shelley engaged in a relationship with Harriet Westbrook, a girl his parents forbade him from seeing. However, he was soon uninterested in her and soon began falling for a schoolteacher. This woman inspired his first major poem, Queen Mab. To conclude his adolescence, Shelley wrote many political pamphlets which he distributed by unnatural means that included putting the pamphlets in glass bottles and paper boats. In 1812 Shelley met a man he highly respected, William Godwin, a radical political philosopher that would later …show more content…
In 1817, Shelley produced Laon and Cythna, a long narrative poem that contained references to incest as well as attacks on religion due to this it was withdrawn after only a few copies were published. It was later edited and reissued as The Revolt of Islam and is easily recognized as one of his major works. Shelley wrote Prometheus Unbound, a lyrical drama that is one of his best works which was published in 1820. The drama includes ideas of death like "Death is the veil which those who live call life; They sleep, and it is lifted" (Prometheus Unbound). Shelley died an unexpected death and as time recalls, it was too early for him to die. While Shelley was returning to a city he had previously been before. He drowned. There is many speculations and conspiracies about his mysterious and sudden death. Shelley's death was reported as an accident, but many believe he was murdered by someone that disagreed with his political views. Mary was not able to attend his funeral. His ashes were buried in a Protestant cemetery in Rome (Percy Bysshe Shelley).
Despite Shelley's troubled love life and acquaintance with death, he wrote many great philosophical poems and narratives. He was controversial and outspoken for his time, a one of a kind type person. His story has been told, so live