Symbolism in ‘Adonais’ by P. B.

Shelley
‘Adonais’ is a pastoral elegy written by Percy Bysshe Shelley in 1821 to mourn the untimely
death of his friend and fellow poet John Keats. The poem is not only a tribute to Keats but also
a meditation on the nature of life, death, and immortality. Shelley's use of symbolism is
intricate and profound, enriching the poem with layers of meaning that contribute to its
emotional and philosophical depth.

1. The Title: Adonais

The title "Adonais" itself is symbolic. It is derived from the name Adonis, a figure from Greek
mythology known for his beauty and his tragic death, and is also reminiscent of the Semitic god
Adonai. This dual reference symbolizes the blending of classical and biblical traditions,
underscoring the universal significance of the themes of beauty, mortality, and divine
transcendence.

2. Nature as a Symbol

Nature plays a significant symbolic role throughout ‘Adonais’. Shelley often personifies
elements of nature, using them to reflect the poet’s emotional state and to comment on the
cycle of life and death.

 Flowers and Plants: Flowers in ‘Adonais’ symbolize both the beauty of life and the inevitability
of death. In Stanza 3, Shelley writes about the flowers that have withered and died, mirroring
the loss of Keats:
The quick Dreams,
The passion-winged Ministers of thought,
Who were his flocks, whom near the living streams
Of his young spirit he fed, and whom he taught
The love which was its music.

 The River and the Ocean: In Stanza 8, the river represents the flow of life, moving inexorably
towards the ocean, which symbolizes death and eternity:

3. Classical and Mythological References

Shelley employs numerous classical and mythological references to enhance the symbolic
resonance of the poem.

 Urania: Urania, the Muse of Astronomy, symbolizes the higher, divine inspiration that
transcends earthly concerns. In the poem, she mourns Keats and represents the celestial aspect
of poetry and art:

 Phoebus Apollo: Apollo, the god of poetry and the sun, symbolizes both artistic inspiration and
the inevitable decline of beauty and life. Shelley uses Apollo to draw a parallel between the
transient nature of beauty and the enduring power of art.

4. Light and Darkness

The interplay of light and darkness is a recurring symbolic motif in ‘Adonais’. Shelley contrasts
these elements to explore themes of life, death, and transcendence.
 Light: Light often symbolizes life, hope, and immortality. In the poem, the deceased Keats is
frequently associated with light, suggesting that his spirit lives on through his poetry. In Stanza
29, Shelley writes:
He is made one with Nature: there is heard
His voice in all her music, from the moan
Of thunder, to the song of night's sweet bird.

 Darkness: Darkness, on the other hand, symbolizes death and the unknown. However, Shelley
also uses darkness to signify the sublime, the mysterious realm beyond human understanding.
This duality reflects the poet's complex attitude towards death, both as an end and as a passage
to something greater.

5. The Lament of Nature and Mankind

 Nature’s Mourning: Shelley employs the symbolic lamentation of nature and mankind to
emphasize the collective loss felt upon Keats's death. The natural world and human
communities alike mourn the passing of the poet, highlighting the universal impact of his life
and work

 Communal Grief: The poem conveys a sense of communal grief, where poets and lovers of
beauty from across the world join in mourning. This universality underscores the
interconnectedness of humanity through the shared experience of loss and remembrance.

6. The Soul’s Immortality

The final stanzas of ‘Adonais’ shift from mourning to a celebration of Keats’s enduring legacy
and the immortality of the soul. Shelley uses various symbols to illustrate the idea that Keats,
though dead in body, lives on in spirit.

 The Spirit’s Ascent: In Stanza 55, Shelley's imagery of ascension and transcendence symbolizes
the soul's liberation from the mortal world:

He has outsoared the shadow of our night;

Envy and calumny and hate and pain,
And that unrest which men miscall delight,
Can touch him not and torture not again."

 The Star: The star symbolizes Keats's enduring influence and the eternal nature of true art.
Shelley concludes the poem by suggesting that Keats's spirit has become one with the cosmos:

The soul of Adonais, like a star,

Beacons from the abode where the Eternal are.
Conclusion

In ‘Adonais’, Percy Bysshe Shelley masterfully employs symbolism to weave a rich tapestry of
meaning that enhances the emotional and philosophical depth of the elegy. Through symbols
drawn from nature, mythology, light and darkness, and the communal experience of grief,
Shelley explores profound themes of life, death, and immortality. The poem stands as a
timeless tribute to John Keats and a testament to the enduring power of poetry.
____________________________________