Shelley's Thoughts Of Harmony In Prometheus Unbound

Percy Bysshe Shelley is one of the most outstanding British romantic poets in the early nineteenth century. He died young but left behind many valuable poetical works, which attracted the attention of the whole literary world. Among them, Prometheus Unbound, his well-known lyrical drama, is famous for its splendid imagination, ingenious imagery as well as deep thoughts. Shelley represents in this poetical drama there will always exist harmonious relationships between man and himself, man and society as well as man and nature in the future world.Generally, one's thoughts and psychological traits have close relations with one's living environment and personal experiences. The influences of social situations and personal experiences have exerted great effects on Shelley's thoughts of harmony. Besides, a series of theories on "Harmony" provides theoretical materials. Shelley's thoughts of harmony in Prometheus Unbound are counted from three aspects of harmony between man and himself, harmony between man and society and harmony between man and nature.Firstly, in this poetical drama, Shelley creates a perfect figure named Prometheus who actually stands for ideal human beings. He offends Jupiter the ruler so that he has to endure endless torture both physically and psychologically. But he does not give in to the oppression; on the contrary, various kinds of torture deepen his reflection on life. He believes that a bright future will finally come and therefore he holds a forgiving heart even to his enemies. The final release of Prometheus'pain indicates the general emancipation of human beings, and Prometheus'sublimation of soul signifies the progressive development of human beings. Man becomes kinder and more sensible.Secondly, Shelley describes an ideal human society in his mind. After the dethronement of Jupiter the tyrant, the world is filled with love and kindness and wisdom. The promotion of human souls leads to the reconstruction of human relationships. There is no difference between the social status of human beings. Everyone in this world is born equal and people care for others so that harmonious relationships can be formed. Besides, man and other groups of interests in the universe, which can be regarded as a metaphor of different sects in Shelley's ideal society, accordingly undertake their respective duties and fulfill their responsibilities, indicating the reestablishment of order in the new harmonious society.Thirdly, Shelley brings in various natural objects and phenomena in this poetical drama to express his thoughts and emotions. For example, the mountains, the moon and the sun are endowed with human feelings. In Shelley's ideal world, human beings have the might to conquer and control nature, but only when man plays this power with love could this power be fully performed. Man regards everything in nature as equal beings and will not extort nature indiscriminately. Conversely, nature will pay back and serve not only as the generous provider of human beings'living necessities, but also as their considerate psychological mentor.Prometheus Unbound is one of the most important representative works in Shelley's later years. In this poetical drama, Shelley represents an ideal world, reflecting his rebellious spirit, his determined protest against autarchy and tyranny and his firm faith in the coming of a new world of freedom, equality and love. Certainly, because of the limitation of social conditions and personal recognition, Shelley's blueprint of the ideal harmonious world is largely based on the non-dialectic philosophy. However, nobody can deny Shelley's insightful thoughts and precious foresight.