ABSTRACT
P. B. Shelley presents difficulties to the critic unequalled perhaps by any English poet except William Blake. To John Keats, poetry is his craft, and all his mind goes to its consideration. Shelley is a personality in revolt, and living out that revolt consistently in his conduct. Judgments on his verse have often been confused by these contrasting elements in his personality. His lyrics were composed in a language whose effects had not previously been found in verse. The most interesting thing about Queen Mab is Shelley's own recognition of the fact that he has failed. The revival of classical mythology with Shelley and Keats has at the same time its limitation. Shelley remains the clearest example of the romantic poet in England. When Shelley wished to describe the worst tortures of Prometheus his mind went back to those early experiences: and shapeless sights come wandering by, The ghastly people of the realm of dream.
