‘A Poet participates in the eternal’: Shelley through the prism of A Defence of Poetry

Melvin, Chloe (2025). ‘A Poet participates in the eternal’: Shelley through the prism of A Defence of Poetry. University of Birmingham. M.A.

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Abstract

This thesis explores to what extent Shelley’s poetry fulfils his own criteria for the ideal poet which he establishes in his essay A Defence of Poetry. The three chapters of this thesis provide an examination of three key aspects of poetry, namely artistry, politics, and legacy, and they show that each of these aspects of poetry are interconnected and self-fulfilling within a poet’s career. The thesis combines biographical and historical methods with a close reading of some of Shelley’s most influential poetry to examine the efficacy of his poetic criteria.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Masters by Research > M.A.)

Award Type:

Masters by Research > M.A.

Supervisor(s):