"To a Skylark"
Poetry
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Percy Bysshe Shelley
To a Skylark Poem
To a Skylark
By Percy Bysshe Shelley
Hail to thee, blithe Spirit!
Bird thou never wert,
That from Heaven, or near it,
Pourest thy full heart
In profuse strains of unpremeditated art.
Higher still and higher
From the earth thou springest
Like a cloud of fire;
The blue deep thou wingest,
And singing still dost soar, and soaring ever singest.
In the golden lightning
Of the sunken sun,
O'er which clou...
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"To a Skylark" Themes
Divinity of Nature
In “To a Skylark,” Shelley writes about a small bird called a skylark. This bird sings beautifully while flying high in the sky. The poet says that its song is so sweet and lovely that it feels like music from heaven. The skylark’s song is better than any music made by humans. Shelley compares the bird to pretty things in nature, like a golden glow-worm or a sweet-smelling ro...
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"To a Skylark" Literary Device
Imagery
Shelley uses vivid imagery to show the beauty of the skylark and nature. He says the bird flies in the “golden lightning of the sunken sun” and the sky “melts” around its flight. These pictures help readers see and feel the scene clearly. He also describes “vernal showers on the twinkling grass”, showing how natural sights and sounds create a peaceful, lovely world in the poem.
Metaphor
Th...
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"To a Skylark" Quotes
Hail to thee, blithe Spirit!
Bird thou never wert,
That from Heaven, or near it,
Explanation: These lines express admiration and praise for the skylark, suggesting it's like no ordinary bird, almost heavenly in its song and spirit.
Like a star of Heaven,
In the broad day-light
Thou art unseen, but yet I hear thy shrill delight,
Explanation: In this line, Shelley compares the skylark t...
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Characters in "To a Skylark"
The Skylark: The skylark is the central "character" of the poem. It symbolizes inspiration, joy, and freedom. Shelley marvels at the skylark's ability to sing joyfully, even in human suffering and turmoil.
Nature: Nature plays a significant role in the poem. The skylark is seen as a part of nature, and its song is described as a natural, spontaneous expression of pure happiness and beauty. Shelley...
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"To a Skylark" Summary
Background of the Poem: Shelley wrote To a Skylark in 1820 while he was staying in Italy. One evening, he was walking with his wife, Mary Shelley, in the city of Livorno. During that walk, he saw a skylark flying high in the sky and singing sweetly. The bird was not clearly visible, but its song filled the air. This moment touched Shelley deeply.
At that time, Shelley was thinking about nature, f...
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Notes
Explore 6 detailed notes related to "To a Skylark". Each note provides in-depth analysis, explanations, and critical insights.