Question

According to Shelley, why is the skylark's song superior to human poetry?

• A. It is louder and more melodic
• B. It originates from nature’s divinity and is free from human woes
• C. It rhymes better than human verse
• D. It tells stories about heaven

Answer 1

Answer:

B. It originates from nature’s divinity and is free from human woes

Shelley sees the skylark’s song as a pure outpouring of joy, untainted by the emotional turmoil that characterizes human life. He believes that human poetry, no matter how beautiful, is always shadowed by knowledge of death, loss, and imperfection. The skylark, by contrast, sings instinctively and freely, expressing pure, divine joy.