England in 1819 (AQA GCSE English Literature): Revision Notes

England in 1819

"England in 1819" by Percy Bysshe Shelley

Context

Percy Bysshe Shelley was a radical Romantic poet known for his revolutionary ideas. "England in 1819," written in response to the oppressive political climate of the time, critiques the state of England and its monarchy. The poem reflects Shelley's despair over the decaying monarchy, the suffering populace, and the corrupt institutions.

The Poem

An old, mad, blind, despised, and dying King,

← Alliteration

Princes, the dregs of their dull race, who flow

← Simile

Through public scorn,—mud from a muddy spring,—

Rulers who neither see nor feel nor know,

← Metaphor

But leech-like to their fainting country cling,

Till they drop, blind in blood, without a blow.

A people starved and stabbed in the untilled field,****—

← Imagery

An army, which liberticide and prey

Makes as a two-edged sword to all who wield,—

Golden and sanguine laws which tempt and slay;

Religion Christless, Godless—a book sealed;

← Juxtaposition

A Senate—Time's worst statute unrepealed,—

Are graves, from which a glorious Phantom may

Burst, to illumine our tempestuous day.

5 quotes + analysis to achieve a grade 9

1. Alliteration: "An old, mad, blind, despised, and dying King"

• Analysis: Shelley uses a series of harsh adjectives and alliteration to describe the king, emphasising the decay and corruption of the monarchy. The repetition of the 'd' sound conveys a sense of finality and degeneration, painting a bleak picture of the leadership.

2. Simile: "Princes, the dregs of their dull race, who flow / Through public scorn,—mud from a muddy spring,"

• Analysis: The simile compares the princes to "mud from a muddy spring," suggesting that they are the worthless byproducts of a corrupt lineage. This imagery highlights the disdain the public feels for the ruling class.

3. Metaphor: "Rulers who neither see nor feel nor know, / But leech-like to their fainting country cling"

• Analysis: This metaphor likens the rulers to leeches, parasitically feeding off a weakened nation. It underscores their exploitative nature and the harm they cause by remaining in power without providing any benefit.

4. Imagery: "A people starved and stabbed in the untilled field"

• Analysis: The imagery of starvation and violence captures the dire conditions faced by the populace. The "untilled field" suggests neglect and mismanagement, indicating that the suffering of the people is due to the rulers' failure to cultivate and care for the nation.

5. Juxtaposition: "Religion Christless, Godless—a book sealed"

• Analysis: The juxtaposition in this line underscores the loss of true spirituality and the ineffectiveness of religion in providing moral guidance. The metaphor of "a book sealed" suggests that religious texts and teachings are inaccessible or ignored, reflecting societal decay.

Form & Structure Points

• Sonnet: Traditional 14-line structure with a variation in rhyme (ABABABCDCDCCDD).
• Iambic Pentameter: Reflects formal structure while delivering a scathing critique.
• Volta (Turn): The poem's shift in focus midway, characteristic of sonnets, emphasises the urgency and depth of Shelley's critique.

Example Paragraph for a Grade 9 Answer:

In "England in 1819," Shelley critiques political corruption and societal decay through powerful imagery and similes. "An old, mad, blind, despised, and dying King" uses a series of harsh adjectives to portray the king's incompetence, emphasising the decaying state of the monarchy. The simile "The world seems one huge prison-house" likens England to a prison, illustrating the oppressive nature of the political environment. This portrayal of the ruling class underscores the suffering and disenfranchisement of the people...