The Cloud--A Dichotomy

Percy Shelley's "The Cloud" shows the enigmatic dichotomy of this Cloud. He shows its benevolence as well as its malice. Each verse starts with describing the former and abruptly switches to focusing on the latter.

In most of Romantic Literature, there is an extreme reverence and admiration for all things natural, but there is also a fear and an apprehension that comes with it. It seems that Shelley is trying to evoke these emotions in the reader with his poem.

The first stanza alone can be dissected to show the motive of the whole poem. The poem starts of with an act of kindness by The Cloud: it brings "fresh showers for the thirsting flowers." This immediately demonstrates The Cloud's kindness and beauty: It has the power to pull from the seas and streams water to give to the needing flowers. It goes on to deliver dew to gently "waken the sweet buds every one."

The whole tone of the beginning eight lines is that of tranquility and benevolence. There are many soft sounds (like the letters S and L: "seas and streams" and "light shade for the leaves when laid"). The diction is also very clearly calm. There are two active sentences, but are used to show how gentle and kind The Cloud is; thus showing its almost philanthropic qualities. Then there are two passive clauses, which illustrate the passivity of the beginning of the poem.

Then, in the ninth line there is a massive transition. The sentence is active and it shows the opposite of kindness. The Cloud "[wields] the flail of the lashing hail". This line elucidates the other half of the dichotomy of The Cloud, which is the capricious and violent characteristic of it. After it has committed its maleficent actions on those below, The Cloud laughs as it "[passes] in thunder." The Cloud is triumphantly and sadistically laughing at what its caprice has done.

The poem continues in this fashion, only increasing in intensity. I think "The Cloud" really elucidates the god-like power, the unclassifiable elegance, and the fascination with the unknown that most Romantic writers find it nature.

P.S. I hope the attachment worked! I really like this painting. I think it reiterates what Shelley is saying in his poem. The work is called "The Wreckers Coast of Northumberland" by J. M. W. Turner. If it didn't show up, you can just look it up on Google Images.