Anarchy Retreats from the Lion's Unvanquishable Roar

Shelly is called from his life in Italy "to walk in the visions of Poesy" (line 4) by the news of the Peterloo Massacre. He is surely shocked and outraged by this news, and feels impassioned to speak against the perceived evils of Parliament and the King. His offensive caricatures of these public figures are surprising today - I can only imagine how shocking they must have been in Shelly's day.

Anarchy's portrayal as the final Horseman of the Apocalypse with the justification of divine right monarchy "I AM GOD, AND KING, AND LAW!" (line 37) could be seen as a criticism of the Church, Parliament and the Monarchy as contributing to the problems of the day, and suggesting that those who blindly submit to and follow these destructive institutions acting as the right hand of anarchy.

The image of Hope as a maniac victim laying before the trampling hooves of Anarchy's steed, lamenting the inaction of Father Time [George III] and expecting death and destruction to go on unabated, is heartbreaking. Fortunately, she is reinvigorated by the radiance of the appearance of May and the smiting of Anarchy.

The call to the English to take charge of their own destinies in the last stanza is filled with symbolism that would be readily apparent to the English readers of the day.

"Rise like lions after slumber,

In unvanquishable number!

Shake your chains to earth like dew

Which in sleep had fallen on you--

Ye are many--they are few."

"Rise, like Lions after slumber" and "Shake your chains to Earth, like dew" are brilliant uses of imagery. The Lion was a common symbol of the monarchy, who were divinely chosen to rule and therefore were above the responsibilities of an earthly monarch. The fetters of an oppressive monarch had imprisoned the English while they"slept" and did not stand up for their rights.

By challenging the English to assume the persona of the heraldic Lion, I believe that Shelly encourages the people to challenge the authority of their king if he will not better ensure for their welfare. After all, the people are many, those who would seek to control and oppress them are few.

Photo manipulation at top by Eric Kenji