A Defence of Poetry

Nonfiction | Essay / Speech | Adult | Published in 1840

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Literary Devices

Contrast

One of the main argumentative techniques that Shelley uses contrast. At the beginning of “A Defence of Poetry,” Shelley defines imagination and reason. He then contrasts these ideas against each other. They are both courses of mental action, but reason contemplates things while imagination takes the contemplated thoughts and connects them.

Shelley also contrasts the broad definition of poetry against the narrow definition of poetry. First, Shelley defines poetry as all works of imagination, and he includes the traditional form of poetry in that. Then he goes deeper, distinguishing poetry as a form of writing with language, meter, and rhyme. He contrasts this narrow definition with the broader definition of poetry being any work of imagination, and in the contrast, the written poetry is revealed to be the superior art form. In his narrow definition, poetry comes from pure imagination because it is language, as opposed to other works of art, which are composed from other created materials. Contrasting the different types of poetry makes his terms clearer and his argument stronger.

Metaphor

In writing about poetry, Shelley uses metaphorical language to discuss his subject matter. Metaphor is a figure of speech that compares an abstract thought to a concrete example to help readers gain understanding. Shelley compares poets to a variety of things including birds: “A poet is a nightingale, who sits in darkness and sings to cheer its own solitude with sweet sounds” (16). In comparing a poet to a bird, he metaphorically says the poet sits in darkness, but he composes to bring joy. Shelley also uses metaphor when it comes to poetry, calling it “a sword of lightning” (24). Poetry is a sharp object, though unlike a literal sword it wields truth. The metaphorical language adds depth and richness to “A Defence of Poetry.”

Persuasive Essay

“A Defence of Poetry” is a persuasive essay that tries to convince readers of Shelley’s point of view. He makes a passionate plea for his case, which is that poetry is pivotal to the human experience. He uses examples—like Homer’s poetry, which has lasted to the present day—to argue that poetry is eternal, thereby convincing readers of his thesis. He also uses figurative language about the beauty of poetry to appeal to readers’ emotions, like when he writes that “poetry is a sword of lightning” (24).