Percy Bysshe Shelley · English Literature

In 'Ode to the West Wind', what specific role does the speaker ask the wind to play in the final stanza?

  1. To sink the ships of his enemies and scatter their fleets across the seas
  2. To carry his words like 'dead leaves' to 'quicken a new birth'
  3. To bring a gentle spring rain down upon his beloved garden and restore it
  4. To sweep through and destroy the corrupt and tyrannical cities of Europe
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Correct answer: To carry his words like 'dead leaves' to 'quicken a new birth'

The speaker views the wind as a metaphor for revolutionary change and poetic inspiration. He asks the wind to scatter his thoughts across the universe to inspire a spiritual and political awakening in humanity.

Difficulty: Medium Question 4 of 20

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