Shelley's To a Skylark Poem: An Ode

An ode is a lyrical poem, usually sung, and addressed to a person or object. Shelley's "To A Skylark" is certainly lyrical, for it is a spontaneous out pouring of powerful emotions roused by the poet by the ecstatic song of the skylark. In the opening of the line of the poet greets the bird and addresses it as "blithe spirit". He is sent into raptures by the bird's song, and he makes an earnest appeal to the bird to teach him the secret of its happiness. His discontent with life and yearning for perfection finds expression in the poem. The poem is a veritable record of his personal reflections, and his response to the inspiring song of the bird.

If an ode can be defined as a poetic oration, Shelley's "To A Skylark" is certainly an ode. The poet uses highly impassioned language to express the thoughts and feelings evoked in his mind by a majestic object. The theme is sublime, for the poet deals with the divine music of the bird. He has used a regular rhyme-scheme to give the poem a melodious tune. It stands to reason that the poem is an ode. Shelley's poem "To A Skylark" concludes with an invocation to the bird. The poet is enchanted by the pure happiness expressed in the bird's song. It dawns upon him that the skylark's skill music is more valuable than any human song or all the knowledge stored in books. Longing for unalloyed happiness he entreats the bird to teach him the secret of its happiness. He will be satisfied if half the secret is imparted to him. Shelley was always sunk in despair at the thought that his lofty ideals have been considered beneath notice by the world. He, therefore, hopes that if he can learn the secret of the skylark's happiness, he will also be able to enchant his readers just as the skylark is now holding him spell bound with its song. The poet draws several images, one after another, but finds them all unworthy to be compared to the skylark's song.

The skylark, in Shelley's view, is like a poet who is not understood on the account of the brilliance of his ideas, but goes on singing until the world accepts his revolutionary ideals. The poem throws a flood of light on Shelley's character and life. The poem bears eloquent witness to Shelley's love of nature.