What Prayer does Shelley Make to the West Wind? 

Answer

What prayer does Shelley make to the west wind? 

In “Ode to the West Wind” (1819), Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792-1822) makes a heartfelt prayer to the West Wind. He asks the west wind to help him bring new ideas and inspire change. He views the west wind as a powerful force that can clear away old, dead things and make way for fresh growth.

Instrument of Change: Shelley prays to the west wind to make him an instrument of positive change. In the final two sections of the poem, Shelley directly appeals to the wind, saying:

Make me thy lyre, even as the forest is:

It means he wants the wind to use him as an instrument. Just as the wind blows through the forest and creates music, the poet wants the wind to blow through him. He hopes the wind will fill him with the same powerful energy.

Desire for Renewal: Just as the west wind brings the promise of spring after winter, the poet wants his poetry to inspire renewal and hope. Shelley prays that the wind will spread his “dead thoughts” over the world like scattered leaves. He hopes the wind will bring his ideas and words to people everywhere so that his words can bring positive change and encourage people to think differently.

Shelley ends his prayer with the hopeful line:

If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?

It expresses his desire for a brighter future following the struggles of the present.

In short, Shelley prays to the west wind to help him bring new ideas and inspire change.