Introductory Note
Prometheus Unbound surpass combines the various elements of Shelleys genius in their most complete expression, and unites harmoniously his lyrically creative advocate of imagination and his passion for reforming the world. It is the fruit of an outburst of poetic energy nether the double stimulus of his enthusiastic Greek studies, begun under Peacocks influence, and of his enrapture in the beauty of Italy, whither he had removed for health and rest. It mark his full mastery of his powers. It is, non less than Queen Mab and The rebuff of Islam, a poem of the moral perfection of man; and, not less than Alastor and Epipsychidion, a poem of spiritual ideality. He was himself in love with it: a poem of a higher character than anything I have yet attempted and perhaps less an fake of anything that has gone before it, he writes to Ollier; and again, a poem in my shell style, whatever that may amount to,... the most perfect of my productions, and the best thing I ever wrote; and finally he says, Prometheus Unbound, I must tell you, is my favorite poem; I commit you, therefore, especially to pet him and feed him with fine ink and thoroughly paper.... I think, if I can judge by its merits, the Prometheus cannot shift beyond twenty copies.
Nor did he lose his affection for it. Trelawny records him as saying, If that is not durable poetry, tried by the severest test, I do not know what is. It is a lofty subject, not inadequately treated, and should not perish with me.... My friends say my Prometheus is too wild, ideal, and perplexed with imagery. It may be so. It has no resemblance to the Greek drama. It is original; and embody me severe mental labor. Authors, like mothers, prefer the children who have tending(p) them most trouble.
The drama was begun in the summer-house of his garden at Este most September, 1818, and the first Act had been finished as early as October 8; it was apparently laid aside,...If you want to get a full essay, order it on our website: Orderessay
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