Description
By: Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792-1822)
The Masque of Anarchy by Percy Bysshe Shelley is a powerful poem that captures the essence of the fight for freedom and justice. Written in response to the Peterloo Massacre, Shelley’s words are both uplifting and haunting, urging readers to stand up against oppression and injustice.
The poem’s imagery is vivid and evocative, painting a stark picture of the injustices faced by the working class. Shelley’s use of symbolism and allegory adds depth to the poem, making it a thought-provoking read that stays with you long after you’ve finished it.
The message of hope and resistance that runs throughout the poem is inspiring and relevant even today. Shelley’s call to “Rise like lions after slumber” resonates with readers, urging them to take action and stand up against tyranny.
Overall, The Masque of Anarchy is a timeless work that continues to hold relevance in the modern world. Shelley’s words are a reminder of the power of the people to rise up and fight for a better future.
Book Description:
The Masque of Anarchy was Shelley’s response to the Peterloo massacre at St Peter’s Fields, Manchester, where 18 died and hundreds were injured, after Hussars charged into a rally for parliamentary reform. Written in Italy in 1819, the poem was not published until 1832, ten years after Shelley’s death. This reading is from the first published edition with the addition of three words that were inserted in full only in later additions (‘Eldon’ in Stanza IV and ‘Bible’ and ‘Sidmouth’ in Stanza VI). The poem is preceded by Leigh Hunt’s preface to the 1932 edition and followed by Harry Buxton Forman’s 1887 lecture on the poem to the Shelley Society.
