England in 1819 (Percy Bysshe Shelley)

This section provides analysis for the poem “England in 1819” by Percy Bysshe Shelley. England in 1819 is a sonnet by Percy Bysshe Shelley, expressing fierce political criticism of the British monarchy, government, and society during a period of unrest and inequality. Shelley wrote the poem in response to the political and social conditions of the time, particularly following the Peterloo Massacre of 1819. The poem is a passionate call for revolution and change, highlighting the corruption, decay, and oppression within England and ending with a hopeful vision of a potential rebirth or revolution. You can read the poem below followed by detailed analysis. 

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.

AnalysisEngland in 1819

Themes:

Corruption of the Monarchy and Rulers: Shelley portrays King George III, the British monarchy, and political rulers as ineffective, blind, and corrupt. The king is described as "mad, blind, despised, and dying," symbolising the decaying state of the monarchy. Princes are depicted as "the dregs" of their line, suggesting that the ruling class has lost its honour and vitality.

Key Quotations:

"An old, mad, blind, despised, and dying King"

"Princes, the dregs of their dull race"

"Rulers who neither see nor feel nor know"

Oppression of the People: Shelley describes the suffering of ordinary people, "starved and stabbed" in the fields, highlighting the widespread poverty, neglect, and exploitation of the working class. The image of the "untilled field" suggests both literal and metaphorical neglect of the people by those in power.

Key Quotations:

"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"

Decay of Religion and Law: Shelley condemns the Church and legal system as corrupt and bloodstained. He describes religion as "Christless, Godless," suggesting that the Church has lost its moral compass and no longer serves its true spiritual purpose. Similarly, the laws are described as "golden and sanguine" (bloodstained), reflecting the violent repression of the people.

Key Quotations:

"Religion Christless, Godless—a book sealed"

"Golden and sanguine laws which tempt and slay"

"A senate, Time's worst statute, unrepealed"

Hope for Rebirth and Revolution: Despite the grim depiction of England, the poem ends on a hopeful note with the image of a "glorious Phantom" rising from the "graves" of the corrupt institutions. This "Phantom" symbolises the potential for revolution, renewal, and the birth of a new and better England.

Key Quotations:

"Are graves from which a glorious Phantom may / Burst, to illumine our tempestuous day"

Tone and Mood:

Tone: The tone of the poem is critical, angry, and rebellious. Shelley’s language is scathing as he attacks the monarchy, government, military, law, and religion, but the poem shifts towards hopefulness in the final lines.

Mood: The mood is dark and bleak for much of the poem, reflecting the decay and suffering in England. However, the ending introduces a sense of optimism and possibility for change, providing a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos.

Structure and Form:

Sonnet Form: England in 1819 is written in the form of a sonnet (14 lines), traditionally associated with love poetry. However, Shelley uses this form to deliver a political critique, subverting expectations. The sonnet has a Petrarchan structure with an octave (first eight lines) outlining the problems in England, and a sestet (last six lines) that hints at potential redemption.

Unusual Rhyme Scheme: The poem uses an unconventional rhyme scheme (ABABABCDCDCCDD), which contributes to its sense of instability and chaos, reflecting the state of England at the time.

Enjambment: Shelley frequently uses enjambment (where a sentence or phrase runs over into the next line without a pause), which creates a sense of momentum and urgency, as if the speaker’s emotions are overflowing.

Poetic Devices and Techniques:

Alliteration and Assonance: Shelley employs alliteration (repetition of consonant sounds) and assonance (repetition of vowel sounds) to intensify the harshness of his critique and draw attention to key images. For instance, the repeated “m” sounds in "mad, blind, despised, and dying" emphasise the king’s helplessness and decay.

Imagery: Vivid and violent imagery is used to convey the suffering of the people and the corruption of the institutions. Words like "starved," "stabbed," "blood," and "graves" create a grim vision of England's condition.

Metaphor: Shelley uses metaphors to depict the ruling class and institutions as parasitic and dangerous. The rulers are compared to "leeches" clinging to a dying country, and the laws are described as "two-edged swords" that harm everyone who enforces them.

Personification: The "Phantom" at the end of the poem is personified as a symbol of revolution or change, capable of "bursting" from the decay of England to bring hope and illumination.

Juxtaposition: Shelley contrasts the decaying present with the hope for a brighter future. The grim imagery of suffering and death is juxtaposed with the possibility of a "glorious Phantom" representing renewal and revolution.

Context:

Political Context: Shelley wrote the poem during a time of significant political and social unrest in Britain. King George III was nearing the end of his reign, and his government was deeply unpopular. The period was marked by widespread poverty, social inequality, and political repression. The Peterloo Massacre of 1819, where peaceful protesters demanding political reform were killed by government forces, profoundly influenced Shelley’s writing.

Romanticism: Shelley was a central figure of the Romantic movement, which championed individualism, nature, and revolutionary ideas. Romantics often criticised institutions like the monarchy, the Church, and the state, and Shelley’s political radicalism is evident in his call for revolution in this poem.

Key Messages:

Shelley offers a powerful critique of the monarchy, government, and Church, condemning them as corrupt and parasitic.

The poem highlights the suffering of the people and the exploitation of the working class, showing how they have been neglected and oppressed.

Despite the bleak portrayal of England, Shelley holds out hope for revolutionary change, suggesting that a new era of freedom and justice may emerge from the decay of the old order.

England in 1819 is a passionate and scathing indictment of the state of England during a time of political turmoil. Shelley’s poem reflects his radical ideas and belief in the possibility of revolution, while also criticising the corruption and decay of the ruling class and institutions. By ending with the image of a "glorious Phantom," Shelley leaves readers with a sense of hope that, out of the ruins of England’s present state, a brighter future may emerge.

You can find analysis of all the AQA Worlds and Lives Anthology Poems here.