Summary:
Percy Bysshe Shelley’s poem Mutability explores the theme of change, emphasizing that everything in life is temporary and constantly evolving. Shelley uses vivid imagery and metaphors to illustrate the fleeting nature of human experiences, emotions, and existence.
The poem suggests that nothing remains the same, comparing human life to fleeting clouds, fading music, and dreams that disappear upon waking. These images reinforce the idea that change is inevitable, and no state—whether joy or sorrow—can last forever. Shelley highlights the unpredictable and ever-changing nature of the human mind, where happiness and suffering come and go like passing clouds.
Ultimately, Mutability conveys a philosophical message: the only certainty in life is change itself. The poem aligns with the Romantic ideal of embracing nature and recognizing human limitations in the face of time and transformation.
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| Question | Answer |
| Poem Name | Mutability |
| Poet | Percy Bysshe Shelley |
| Year Written | 1816 |
| Year Published | 1816 |
| Poem Type | Lyric poetry |
| Rhyme Scheme | ABAB |
| Themes | Change, transience of life, time, human emotions |
| Literary Devices | Metaphor, imagery, personification, symbolism |
| Famous Line | “Man’s yesterday may ne’er be like his morrow” |