“Mutability” by Percy Bysshe Shelley: A Critical Analysis

Introduction: “Mutability” by Percy Bysshe Shelley

“Mutability” by Percy Bysshe Shelley was first published in 1816 in the collection Alastor, or The Spirit of Solitude: And Other Poems. The poem explores the theme of constant change and impermanence in the world and human experience. Shelley uses vivid imagery, such as the comparison of humans to fleeting clouds, to convey the transitory nature of emotions and existence itself. The poem’s lyrical language and melancholic tone create a sense of wistfulness and contemplation, inviting readers to reflect on the ephemeral nature of life and the enduring power of mutability.

Annotations: “Mutability” by Percy Bysshe Shelley

Stanza	Content	Theme/Annotation
I.	We are compared to clouds covering the moon, moving restlessly and shining brightly in the darkness, but ultimately disappearing with the coming of night.	Comparison of human existence to the fleeting nature of clouds and the transient beauty of life.
II.	Similar to forgotten lyres (musical instruments), our responses to life’s changes are varied and fleeting, with no repetition or consistency in our emotions or actions.	Likening human responses to the inconsistent sounds produced by a neglected musical instrument.
III.	The stanza speaks of the disruptive power of dreams on sleep and wandering thoughts on waking life, highlighting the constant disturbance and flux of human experience.	Reflects on the disruptive nature of dreams and wandering thoughts, which disrupt both sleep and wakefulness.
IV.	Regardless of whether our experiences bring joy or sorrow, change is inevitable and constant; nothing remains the same, except the certainty of change itself.	Asserts the universal truth of change (Mutability) as the only constant in life, regardless of circumstances.

Literary And Poetic Devices: “Mutability” by Percy Bysshe Shelley

Literary Device	Example	Explanation
Alliteration	“We rest—a dream has power to poison sleep;”	Alliteration occurs when the same consonant sound is repeated in close proximity, such as the repetition of the “r” sound in “rest,” “dream,” and “power.”
Allusion	“Or like forgotten lyres…”	The mention of “forgotten lyres” alludes to the image of neglected musical instruments, implying the forgotten or overlooked aspects of human experience.
Assonance	“To whose frail frame no second motion brings…”	Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds within nearby words, as seen in the repetition of the long “a” sound in “frail” and “frame.”
Consonance	“We are as clouds that veil the midnight moon;”	Consonance involves the repetition of consonant sounds within or at the end of words, such as the repetition of the “d” sound in “clouds” and “veil.”
Enjambment	“Streaking the darkness radiantly! yet soon / Night closes round, and they are lost for ever:—”	Enjambment occurs when a line of poetry does not end with punctuation, but rather carries over to the next line, creating a sense of continuity and flow.
Hyperbole	“one wandering thought pollutes the day;”	Hyperbole is an exaggeration used for emphasis. Here, the idea that a single wandering thought can “pollute” the entire day exaggerates the disruptive power of intrusive thoughts.
Imagery	“We are as clouds that veil the midnight moon;”	Imagery refers to descriptive language that creates vivid mental pictures. In this line, the imagery of clouds veiling the moon evokes a visual scene of fleeting beauty.
Metaphor	“We are as clouds that veil the midnight moon;”	A metaphor is a figure of speech that describes one thing as another to suggest a likeness between them. Here, humans are metaphorically likened to clouds obscuring the moon.
Personification	“Night closes round, and they are lost for ever:—”	Personification attributes human-like qualities to non-human entities. In this case, night is personified as closing around the clouds, suggesting a sense of inevitability.
Repetition	“We rest—a dream has power to poison sleep;”	Repetition involves the repeated use of words or phrases for emphasis. Here, the repetition of “We” emphasizes the universality of the experience described.
Simile	“We are as clouds that veil the midnight moon;”	A simile compares two unlike things using “like” or “as.” Here, humans are likened to clouds using the word “as,” highlighting the transitory nature of existence.
Symbolism	“Or like forgotten lyres…”	Symbolism is the use of symbols to represent ideas or concepts beyond their literal meaning. Here, “forgotten lyres” symbolize neglected or overlooked aspects of life and experience.
Synecdoche	“Give various response to each varying blast,”	Synecdoche is a figure of speech in which a part is used to represent the whole or vice versa. Here, “dissonant strings” represent the entirety of the forgotten lyres.
Anaphora	“We feel, conceive or reason, laugh or weep,”	Anaphora involves the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences. Here, “We” is repeated to emphasize the variety of human experiences.
Apostrophe	“Night closes round, and they are lost for ever:—”	Apostrophe involves addressing an absent or imaginary person or entity. Here, the speaker addresses the night as it closes around the clouds.
Irony	“Nought may endure but Mutability.”	Irony occurs when the literal meaning of words is different from their intended meaning. Here, it is ironic that the only enduring quality is mutability, emphasizing the paradoxical nature of change.
Oxymoron	“radiantly! yet soon”	An oxymoron combines contradictory terms to create a paradoxical effect. Here, “radiantly” (brightly) and “soon” (quickly) are juxtaposed, highlighting the fleeting nature of brightness.
Paradox	“Nought may endure but Mutability.”	A paradox is a statement that appears self-contradictory but reveals a deeper truth. In this line, the paradox emphasizes the inevitability of change as the only enduring quality.
Sibilance	“How restlessly they speed and gleam and quiver,”	Sibilance is the repetition of the “s” sound. Here, it creates a sense of movement and restlessness in the description of the clouds.
Tone	Throughout the poem	The tone of the poem is contemplative and resigned, as the speaker reflects on the transient nature of human existence and the inevitability of change.

Themes: “Mutability” by Percy Bysshe Shelley

1. Theme 1: Impermanence and Transience: The poem explores the theme of impermanence, emphasizing that everything in life is transitory and fleeting. The clouds that “veil the midnight moon” (I) are soon lost in the darkness, symbolizing how our experiences, emotions, and achievements can quickly fade away. Similarly, the “forgotten lyres” (II) produce different sounds with each varying blast, never repeating the same mood or modulation, highlighting the ephemeral nature of our creative endeavors and emotional states. This theme is echoed in the final line, “Nought may endure but Mutability” (IV), underscoring that change is the only constant in life.
2. Theme 2: Unpredictability and the Uncertainty of Life: The poem also touches on the theme of unpredictability, emphasizing how our emotions and experiences can change suddenly and unexpectedly. We “rise—one wandering thought pollutes the day” (III), and our moods can shift rapidly, like the “dissonant strings” (II) of the lyres, which produce unpredictable sounds. This unpredictability is reflected in the line “Man’s yesterday may ne’er be like his morrow” (IV), highlighting the uncertainty of life and the impossibility of predicting what the future holds.
3. Theme 3: Emotional Turbulence and the Human Experience: The poem explores the turmoil of human emotions, describing how we can feel, conceive, reason, laugh, or weep (III) in a never-ending cycle of emotional ups and downs. Our emotions are like the “clouds” (I) that “speed and gleam and quiver” before disappearing into the darkness, symbolizing the dynamic and ever-changing nature of our emotional lives. This theme highlights the complexity and richness of the human experience, acknowledging that our emotions and experiences are multifaceted and constantly in flux.
4. Theme 4: The Power of Change and Adaptation: Finally, the poem highlights the power of change and its inevitability. The “path of its departure” (IV) is always free, and we are subject to the whims of Mutability, which can bring either joy or sorrow. The poem suggests that we must learn to embrace this constant flux and uncertainty, adapting to the changing circumstances of life. This theme encourages us to be resilient and open to new experiences, recognizing that change is an essential part of growth and transformation.

Literary Theories and “Mutability” by Percy Bysshe Shelley

1. Romanticism: This theory emphasizes emotion, imagination, and the individual’s experience of the world. Shelley’s “Mutability” embodies Romanticism through its focus on the fleeting nature of emotions and the sublime power of change. The speaker’s emotional response to the ever-changing world, as seen in lines like “We feel, conceive or reason, laugh or weep,” highlights the Romantic emphasis on individual experience and feeling.
2. Formalism/New Criticism: This approach focuses on the poem’s structure, language, and literary devices, analyzing how they contribute to its meaning. In “Mutability,” the consistent ABAB rhyme scheme and iambic tetrameter create a sense of order and predictability that contrasts with the poem’s theme of constant change. The use of metaphors, such as comparing humans to clouds and lyres, adds depth and complexity to the exploration of mutability.
3. Structuralism: This theory examines the underlying structures and patterns that shape meaning in literature. In “Mutability,” the poem’s four stanzas represent different aspects of human experience, from the external world (clouds) to internal emotions (lyres) and daily life (sleep, thoughts). This structure reveals a pattern of impermanence that permeates all levels of existence.
4. Existentialism: This philosophical approach explores themes of human existence, freedom, and the search for meaning in a seemingly meaningless world. Shelley’s “Mutability” resonates with existentialist ideas through its emphasis on the impermanence of life and the inevitability of change. The poem’s final line, “Nought may endure but Mutability,” suggests that the only constant in life is change, a sentiment that echoes existentialist concerns about the human condition.

Critical Questions about “Mutability” by Percy Bysshe Shelley

• How does Shelley use metaphors to convey the theme of mutability?
  • Throughout the poem, Shelley employs metaphors to illustrate the transient nature of human existence and emotions. In the first stanza, humans are compared to “clouds that veil the midnight moon,” emphasizing their fleeting presence and ever-changing forms. The second stanza likens humans to “forgotten lyres,” whose strings produce varied responses to external forces, suggesting the impermanence and instability of emotions. These metaphors collectively highlight the central theme of mutability and the constant flux of life.What is the significance of the poem’s structure and rhyme scheme in relation to its theme?The poem’s consistent ABAB rhyme scheme and iambic tetrameter create a sense of order and predictability, which ironically contrasts with the poem’s theme of perpetual change. This structural tension emphasizes the paradoxical nature of existence, where even the most stable structures are subject to the forces of mutability. The four stanzas also mirror the cyclical nature of change, as each stanza presents a different aspect of human experience that is ultimately subject to the same universal law of impermanence.How does the poem explore the relationship between joy and sorrow in the context of mutability?Shelley suggests that both joy and sorrow are equally transient and subject to the same forces of change. The lines “For, be it joy or sorrow, / The path of its departure still is free” underscore the idea that emotions, whether positive or negative, are fleeting and ultimately give way to new experiences. This perspective invites contemplation on the impermanence of all emotions and the need to embrace the constant flux of life.
• • What is the ultimate message or takeaway that Shelley offers in “Mutability”?
• • The poem’s final line, “Nought may endure but Mutability,” serves as the poem’s central message and takeaway. It suggests that change is the only constant in life, and everything else, including human emotions, experiences, and even joy and sorrow, is ultimately subject to the forces of impermanence. This realization can be both comforting and unsettling, as it highlights the ephemeral nature of life while also offering a sense of liberation from the illusion of permanence.

Topics, Questions, and Thesis Statement about “Mutability” by Percy Bysshe Shelley

Topic	Questions	Thesis Statement
Transience of Human Experience	1. How does Shelley explore the fleeting nature of human existence in “Mutability”?	In “Mutability,” Percy Bysshe Shelley illustrates the transience of human experience through vivid imagery, metaphor, and repetition, emphasizing the inevitability of change and the impermanence of joy and sorrow.
The Power of Change	1. What role does change play in shaping the themes and emotions expressed in the poem?	Through “Mutability,” Shelley suggests that change is an omnipresent force that shapes human experiences and emotions, highlighting its power to disrupt and transform individual lives and the broader human condition.
Philosophical Reflections on Mutability	1. How does the concept of mutability reflect broader philosophical ideas about existence and the nature of reality?	“Mutability” serves as a philosophical reflection on the transient nature of life and the inherent instability of human existence, prompting contemplation on the impermanence of all things and the significance of embracing change.
Emotional Responses to Impermanence	1. How do the speaker’s emotional responses to change and impermanence evolve throughout the poem?	Through shifting tones and evocative language, “Mutability” portrays the speaker’s emotional journey as they grapple with the realities of impermanence, ultimately arriving at a poignant acceptance of the ever-changing nature of life.

Literary Works Similar to “Mutability” by Percy Bysshe Shelley

1. “Ode on Melancholy” by John Keats: Like “Mutability,” this poem explores the themes of impermanence and the transient nature of human emotions. Keats delves into the melancholy aspects of life, emphasizing the inevitability of change and the fleeting nature of joy and sorrow.
2. “To Autumn” by John Keats: While focusing on the beauty of the autumn season, Keats also reflects on the cyclical nature of life and the passage of time. The poem explores themes of transience, change, and the inevitability of decline, similar to the motifs present in “Mutability.”
3. “The Waste Land” by T.S. Eliot: Eliot’s modernist masterpiece delves into themes of fragmentation, decay, and the disillusionment of the modern world. Like “Mutability,” it explores the instability of human existence and the search for meaning amidst chaos and change.
4. “When You Are Old” by W.B. Yeats: This poem reflects on the passage of time and the inevitability of aging, highlighting the transient nature of beauty and love. Like “Mutability,” it evokes a sense of nostalgia and contemplation on the fleetingness of human experience.
5. “A Slumber Did My Spirit Seal” by William Wordsworth: Wordsworth’s poem explores themes of mortality and the passage of time through the lens of personal experience and memory. Like “Mutability,” it reflects on the impermanence of life and the enduring impact of loss and change.

Suggested Readings: “Mutability” by Percy Bysshe Shelley

• Hicks, Wreathea G. Shelley’s changing concept of mutability. Diss. 2013.
• Harding, Anthony John. “Signs of Change: Percy Shelley’s Language of Mutability as Precursor to Darwin’s Theory of Evolution.” Literature Compass 13.10 (2016): 617-627.
• Johnson, Lee. “Shelley’s Music of Mutability.” Graven Images 3 (1996): 114.
• Yu, Jie-Ae. “The Practical Education of Poetry: Discovering Pain and Therapeutic Effects in Shelley’s “Mutability” and Keats’s “Ode on Melancholy”.” Journal of Aesthetic Education 57.1 (2023): 51-73.
• Roberts, Merrilees Fay. Poetical and Philosophical Reticence in the Major Poetry of Percy Bysshe Shelley. Diss. Queen Mary University of London, 2017.
• Anderson, Brandy. “Quick (ish) Overview on Shelley.” (2013).

Representative Quotations from “Mutability” by Percy Bysshe Shelley

Quotation	Context	Theoretical Concept
“We are as clouds that veil the midnight moon;”	The speaker compares human existence to clouds obscuring the moon, emphasizing the fleeting and transient nature of life.	Metaphor: The metaphorical comparison of humans to clouds highlights the impermanence and ephemeral quality of human existence.
“Nought may endure but Mutability.”	The speaker asserts that change (Mutability) is the only enduring aspect of life, highlighting the constant flux and instability of existence.	Paradox: The statement reveals the paradoxical truth that while everything may change, change itself remains constant and enduring.
“We rise—one wandering thought pollutes the day;”	The speaker reflects on the disruptive power of wandering thoughts, which can taint and disturb the tranquility of everyday life.	Hyperbole: The exaggeration of a single thought “polluting” the entire day emphasizes the disruptive and intrusive nature of wandering thoughts.
“To whose frail frame no second motion brings…”	The speaker describes forgotten lyres whose strings produce discordant sounds with each varying blast, highlighting the inconsistency and unpredictability of life.	Symbolism: The “frail frame” of the lyre symbolizes the fragile and transient nature of human emotions and experiences.
“The path of its departure still is free;”	The speaker reflects on the freedom inherent in change, emphasizing that regardless of whether experiences bring joy or sorrow, change remains inevitable.	Existentialism: The idea that change is inherent and unavoidable reflects existentialist themes of embracing uncertainty and the freedom of individual choice.