Percy Bysshe Shelley · English Literature

In the poem 'To a Skylark', how does the speaker characterize the bird’s song in comparison to human expression?

It is inferior because it lacks the intellectual depth and moral seriousness of human verse
It is superior because it is free from the 'sadness' and 'pining' of human thought
It serves as a warning sign of an impending storm or other serious natural disaster
It is essentially the same as a skilled poet's melody, just delivered by a different voice

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Correct answer: It is superior because it is free from the 'sadness' and 'pining' of human thought

Shelley describes the skylark as a 'blithe Spirit' that pours its heart out in 'profuse strains of unpremeditated art.' He notes that human songs are always tinged with 'saddest thought,' whereas the bird knows no 'languor' or 'annoyance.'

Difficulty: Medium Question 6 of 20

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In the poem 'To a Skylark', how does the speaker characterize the bird’s song in comparison to human expression?

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