Why Does Shelley Forbid Men to Mourn for Adonais?
Adonais is a notable literary work by Percy Bysshe Shelley. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, to various questions of Adonais.
Answer
Why does Shelley forbid men to mourn for Adonais?
Percy Bysshe Shelley’s (1792-1822) poem “Adonais” (1821) is a tribute to his friend John Keats. Keats has died young in 1821. In the poem, Shelley calls on the natural world to mourn Keats but forbids men from doing so.
Adonais has Achieved Immortality: Shelley suggests that Adonais has exceeded the mortal world and achieved eternal life. Therefore, men do not need to mourn his passing as he continues to live on in the spiritual realm. Shelley believes that Keats achieves immortality through his art. He argues that mourning won’t bring Adonais back but suggests that Adonais will live forever through his poetry. Shelley says,
He lives, he wakes—’tis Death is dead, not he.
Mourn not for Adonais.
Adonais’s Release from Earthly Suffering: Shelley presents death as a release from the pain and suffering of the mortal world. He describes how death has freed Adonais from worldly troubles and turmoil.
Peace, peace! he is not dead, he doth not sleep,
He hath awaken’d from the dream of life;
Thus, mourning for him may be an unnecessary lamentation for someone who has found peace beyond life’s troubles.
Mourning Is Futile: Shelley argues that mourning for Adonais would be futile because it cannot bring him back to life. He suggests that it would be better to celebrate Adonais’ life and legacy instead of mourning his death.
Embrace of the Eternal Cycle of Life and Death: Shelley urges acceptance of the natural cycle of life and death. He encourages acknowledging that Adonais has returned to nature and the universe.
He is a portion of the loveliness
which once he made more lovely.
Adonais’s soul now meshes with nature’s beauty. He has become a part of eternity.
In conclusion, Shelley forbids people from mourning for Adonais because he believes Adonais has attained immortality. He says mourning for him is futile. Adonais’ peaceful death is a natural process of life. Shelley advises that all should learn from the life and actions of Adonais and accept the natural cycle of life and death.