Shelley

I often think that schools have the wrong approach to teaching subjects like history or the arts. It takes but one minute to mention the strange, interesting personalities of people involved in history or literature, and but another to put forth a little engaging excerpt.

Instead of forcing someone to read all of Chaucer, beginning with a few particular passages and then clearly communicating what the whole work is about creates understanding. In that vein, let's look at Shelley [1792-1822]. He had such skill; he should still be read by the masses today. Poetry can be just as relaxing as a fun beach read.

The images are incredible, they sink into your mind and take you away from the world. He has an amazing capacity for imagination and phrasing.

Here's a little excerpt from Canto 1 of "The Revolt of Islam" from here:
[...]

Darkness arose from her dissolving frame,
Which gathering, filled that dome of woven light,
Blotting its sphered stars with supernatural night.

Then first, two glittering lights were seen to glide
In circles on the amethystine floor,
Small serpent eyes trailing from side to side,
Like meteors on a river's grassy shore,
They round each other rolled, dilating more
And more—then rose, commingling into one,
One clear and mighty planet hanging o'er
A cloud of deepest shadow, which was thrown
Athwart the glowing steps and the crystalline throne.

[...]

Here's another excerpt from "Prometheus Unbound", more here:

[...]

The rocks are cloven, and through the purple night
I see cars drawn by rainbow-winged steeds
Which trample the dim winds: in each there stands
A wild-eyed charioteer urging their flight.
Some look behind, as fiends pursued them there,
And yet I see no shapes but the keen stars:
Others, with burning eyes, lean forth, and drink
With eager lips the wind of their own speed,
As if the thing they loved fled on before,
And now, even now, they clasped it. Their bright locks
Stream like a comet's flashing hair; they all
Sweep onward.

[...]