The Cloud Analysis- Percy Bysshe Shelly Essay Example

technical for a romantic, it demonstrates the cloud's limited power over lightning. Shelley describes nature in an innocent and romantic manner, suggesting that the lightning follows the genii it loves and its tears become rain. The following stanzas discuss the cloud's perspective on the sun and moon.

The poem depicts the sun leaping onto the cloud when "The morning star shines dead." The morning star likely refers to Venus, reaffirming the romantic depiction of nature. It is commonly known that planets continue to emit light during the day and do not cease to exist during daylight hours. By stating that the morning star shines dead, the poet expresses a view of nature that goes beyond scientific knowledge. When the sun sets, the cloud rests like a dove, imitating one of the signs of the Holy Spirit mentioned in the Bible. This conveys Shelley's adoration of the cloud by comparing it to a divine being.

In the following stanza, a strong personification is employed to describe the cloud and other heavenly beings. The verse depicts the cloud leaving its tent roof ajar, allowing the stars to peer inside. Furthermore, it compares the stars' movement to that of a swarm of golden bees, enhancing the extent of personification. The stanza further portrays the cloud unveiling its tear, letting the moonlight pour through and reflect off various surfaces. This stanza evokes vivid imagery, intensifying the personification in the reader's imagination. Lastly, it focuses on the cloud obstructing both the sun and moon in the fifth stanza.

In this play, a strong sense of imagery is once again used. The "Sun's throne with a burning zone And the moon's

with a girdle of pearl" describes the Sun and moon as being on thrones, giving them the qualities of royalty. The poem mentions that the cloud causes volcanoes to appear dim and stars to spin and swim. It acts like a roof held up by mountains, hanging over the turbulent sea and offering some shade from the Sun. The cloud marches under a rainbow, accompanied by "hurricane fire and snow," blown by the tempestuous wind. The last stanza explains the cloud's origins.

The cloud is described as the Daughter of Earth and Water and nursling of the sky, emphasizing its connection to and dependence on nature. It is stated that the cloud can undergo transformations but cannot perish, symbolizing the continuous growth and cyclic nature of life. Additionally, the cloud plays a vital role in supporting other elements of nature. It provides rain for plant growth and offers shade or sunshine depending on the conditions. Similar to a cloud, seasons also follow a constant cycle. Using a simile, the text portrays the cloud as both gentle as a child and terrifying as a ghost. This highlights the duality of its nature. Ultimately, the cloud's ever-changing cycle mirrors that of the entire natural world.