Rather than being the caretakers of nature, the speaker in Adonais believes that nature is part of a greater spirit that includes mankind. The elements of nature show up to mourn Adonais, and are given human characteristics as part of their mourning. Nature is also a source of comfort for the speaker, who finds solace in its beauty. We can relate, can't you? Throughout the poem, the natural world is shown as a sympathetic, positive place, at peace with mankind.
Questions About Man and the Natural World
- What human characteristics does Shelley give nature? How do these characteristics represent the speaker's emotions?
- How is nature involved in Shelley's version of the afterlife?
- What imagery does Shelley use to create a comforting vision of the natural world? How do these images develop the poem?
Chew on This
Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devil’s advocate.
Adonais shows the natural world to be a place not at odds with humanity.Mankind, beast, and plant are all in it together (go team).
The speaker believes that nature follows a pattern of birth, death, and rebirth, and that this is the reason that nothing ever really dies, like ever.