England in 1819 by Percy Bysshe Shelley | Explanation | Summary | Historical Context | England in 1819 Key Points | Percy Bysshe Shelley | Word Meaning | Questions Answers | Critical Appreciation | Themes | Free PDF Download – Easy Literary Lessons
England in 1819
(By Percy Bysshe Shelley)
An old, mad, blind, despised, and dying King;
Princes, the dregs of their dull race, who flow
Through public scorn,—mud from a muddy spring;
Rulers who neither see nor feel nor know,
But leechlike to their fainting country cling
Till they drop, blind in blood, without a blow.
A people starved and stabbed in th’ untilled field;
An army, whom liberticide and prey
Makes as a two-edged sword to all who wield;
Golden and sanguine laws which tempt and slay;
Religion Christless, Godless—a book sealed;
A senate, Time’s worst statute, unrepealed—
Are graves from which a glorious Phantom may
Burst, to illumine our tempestuous day.
England in 1819 by Percy Bysshe Shelley
England in 1819 Analysis
An old, mad, blind, despised, and dying King;
Princes, the dregs of their dull race, who flow
Through public scorn,—mud from a muddy spring;
Rulers who neither see nor feel nor know,
But leechlike to their fainting country cling
Till they drop, blind in blood, without a blow.
Explanation: The opening lines of “England in 1819” introduce the condition of the English monarchy and ruling class. Shelley describes King George III as “old, mad, blind, despised, and dying,” which captures his weakened physical and mental state, as well as the lack of respect he commands from the people. The king is portrayed as a symbol of a decaying and ineffectual monarchy.
Shelley then turns his criticism towards the princes, describing them as the “dregs of their dull race,” suggesting that they are the worst representatives of their lineage—worthless and uninspired. They are “mud from a muddy spring,” emphasizing their corrupt nature and lack of vitality. The public scorn indicates that these princes are widely disliked and ridiculed by the people.
The rulers are depicted as completely disconnected from the suffering of the nation. They “neither see nor feel nor know,” indicating their ignorance and lack of empathy. They cling to power like leeches, draining the life out of their “fainting country” until they inevitably fall, “blind in blood, without a blow”—meaning they will eventually perish without even being challenged, consumed by their own incompetence.
Poetic Device
Imagery: Shelley uses strong visual imagery like “mud from a muddy spring” and “leechlike to their fainting country cling” to create vivid, negative associations with the monarchy and the rulers.
The phrase “blind in blood” evokes a powerful, gruesome image, suggesting the self-destruction of the ruling class.
Metaphor: “mud from a muddy spring” is a metaphor for the princes, implying that they are inherently corrupt, coming from an already tainted source.
The rulers are compared to leeches, which conveys their parasitic and harmful nature.
Repetition: The repetition of “nor” in “neither see nor feel nor know” emphasizes the rulers’ complete lack of awareness, knowledge, and empathy.
Personification: The country is personified as “fainting,” which makes England seem like a living entity suffering under the weight of its rulers.
Simile: Shelley uses a simile in “leechlike to their fainting country cling,” comparing the rulers to leeches, suggesting they are parasites feeding off the nation’s suffering.
A people starved and stabbed in th’ untilled field;
An army, whom liberticide and prey
Makes as a two-edged sword to all who wield;
Golden and sanguine laws which tempt and slay;
Explanation: In these lines of “England in 1819,” Percy Bysshe Shelley continues his critique by describing the harsh conditions faced by the common people and the corruption of the institutions meant to protect them.
“A people starved and stabbed in th’ untilled field” refers to the suffering of the common citizens, who are both metaphorically and literally “starved” due to economic hardships and the rulers’ neglect. The “untilled field” suggests both the abandonment of the people’s basic needs and the stagnation of agricultural productivity, indicating a country neglected and mismanaged.
“An army, whom liberticide and prey / Makes as a two-edged sword to all who wield” criticizes the British army, which instead of protecting liberty has become a tool of oppression (“liberticide”) and exploitation (“prey”). The metaphor of a “two-edged sword” suggests that this military force is dangerous not only to the enemies of the state but also to the very people it is supposed to protect, making it harmful to all who wield it.
“Golden and sanguine laws which tempt and slay” refers to the laws of the land, which are corrupt and destructive. The word “golden” symbolizes the allure of wealth or greed, while “sanguine” suggests bloodshed and violence. The laws are depicted as deceptive, leading people to ruin, both morally and physically.
Poetic Device
Imagery: Shelley uses vivid imagery throughout these lines to evoke the suffering of the people and the violence of the ruling system. For instance, “starved and stabbed” creates a stark visual of physical and emotional suffering.
Alliteration: The repetition of the “s” sound in “starved and stabbed” emphasizes the harshness of the people’s condition. Similarly, “tempt and slay” uses alliteration to underscore the deceptive nature of the laws.
Metaphor: The people are “starved and stabbed in th’ untilled field,” where the “untilled field” metaphorically represents neglect by those in power.
The army is described as “a two-edged sword,” implying its dangerous dual role in society, as both a weapon of oppression and a force that ultimately harms its own wielders.
The phrase “golden and sanguine laws” is a metaphor that combines allure (“golden”) with destruction (“sanguine”).
Personification: The laws are personified as entities that can “tempt and slay,” giving them agency and emphasizing their role in causing harm to the people.
Oxymoron: The juxtaposition of “golden” (suggesting value and allure) with “sanguine” (connoting blood and violence) creates an oxymoron, highlighting the dual nature of the laws—seemingly valuable yet ultimately harmful.
Religion Christless, Godless—a book sealed;
A senate, Time’s worst statute, unrepealed—
Are graves from which a glorious Phantom may
Burst, to illumine our tempestuous day.
Explanation: In these concluding lines of “England in 1819,” Percy Bysshe Shelley continues his scathing critique of England’s institutions, while also offering a glimpse of hope for future change.
“Religion Christless, Godless—a book sealed” criticizes the established Church, which Shelley sees as devoid of true spirituality and disconnected from the teachings of Christ. By calling it “Christless” and “Godless,” Shelley implies that religion has lost its moral foundation and has become merely ritualistic. The “book sealed” suggests that the true message of religion has been kept hidden or made inaccessible, leaving people in spiritual darkness.
“A senate, Time’s worst statute, unrepealed” refers to the British parliament, which Shelley portrays as corrupt and stagnant. The phrase “Time’s worst statute, unrepealed” implies that the government continues to uphold outdated and harmful laws, failing to adapt or reform in the face of changing needs.
“Are graves from which a glorious Phantom may / Burst, to illumine our tempestuous day” shifts the tone from despair to hope. The “graves” symbolize the decayed state of the existing institutions, but Shelley envisions that out of this decay, a “glorious Phantom”—representing revolution, change, or new ideals—may emerge to bring light to the darkness of their time. The “tempestuous day” refers to the turbulent political and social conditions, which Shelley hopes will be illuminated by the emergence of something transformative and positive.
Poetic Device
Imagery: Shelley uses vivid imagery to depict the spiritual emptiness of religion (“a book sealed”) and the decay of political institutions (“graves”). The image of a “glorious Phantom” bursting from graves evokes a powerful sense of potential rebirth or revolution.
Metaphor: “Religion Christless, Godless—a book sealed” is a metaphor for the loss of true spiritual meaning in organized religion.
The phrase “Time’s worst statute, unrepealed” is a metaphor for outdated and harmful laws that remain in place.
The “graves” metaphorically represent the death and decay of existing systems, while the “glorious Phantom” symbolizes hope, change, or revolutionary ideals.
Personification: The phrase “a glorious Phantom may / Burst, to illumine our tempestuous day” personifies the idea of revolution or change as a “Phantom” that can bring light, suggesting the possibility of redemption and illumination.
Oxymoron: “Glorious Phantom” is an oxymoron, combining the idea of something ghostly or intangible (“Phantom”) with “glorious,” suggesting both the uncertainty and the potential beauty of change.
