Summary:
The Mask of Anarchy is a powerful political poem written by Percy Bysshe Shelley in response to the Peterloo Massacre of 1819, in which peaceful protesters in Manchester were attacked by British forces. The poem presents a grim vision of England, where corrupt figures such as Murder, Fraud, and Hypocrisy rule the land, led by Anarchy, symbolizing the tyrannical government.
Despite the bleak imagery, the poem offers a hopeful message. It calls for the oppressed to stand up against tyranny, not through violence but through peaceful resistance. The poem’s famous lines—”Ye are many—they are few!”—became a rallying cry for future social and political movements.
Shelley introduces the personification of Hope, who inspires people to fight for justice, and ultimately, Freedom emerges as the guiding force for the oppressed. The poem advocates for political change through unity, moral strength, and passive resistance rather than bloodshed. Because of its radical message, the poem was not published until 1832, after Shelley’s death.
MCQs:
- Who wrote The Mask of Anarchy?
a) William Blake
b) John Keats
c) Percy Bysshe Shelley
d) Lord Byron
Answer: c) Percy Bysshe Shelley - What historical event inspired The Mask of Anarchy?
a) The French Revolution
b) The Peterloo Massacre (1819)
c) The American Revolution
d) The Napoleonic Wars
Answer: b) The Peterloo Massacre (1819) - What is the primary theme of The Mask of Anarchy?
a) Romantic love
b) The corrupt nature of political power and nonviolent resistance
c) The beauty of nature
d) The role of art in society
Answer: b) The corrupt nature of political power and nonviolent resistance
The Mask of Anarchy - Which political figures are allegorically represented in the poem?
a) Kings and philosophers
b) Murder, Fraud, Hypocrisy, and Anarchy
c) Scientists and artists
d) Farmers and merchants
Answer: b) Murder, Fraud, Hypocrisy, and Anarchy - How does Shelley propose that people should resist oppression?
a) Through violent revolution
b) Through prayer and submission
c) Through peaceful, nonviolent resistance
d) Through isolation from society
Answer: c) Through peaceful, nonviolent resistance - What famous lines from the poem became a slogan for later political movements?
a) “I fall upon the thorns of life! I bleed!”
b) “Ye are many—they are few!”
c) “If winter comes, can spring be far behind?”
d) “Hail to thee, blithe Spirit!”
Answer: b) “Ye are many—they are few!” - Who appears at the end of the poem to inspire hope and resistance?
a) A warrior
b) A noble king
c) The figure of Hope and a vision of Freedom
d) A powerful magician
Answer: c) The figure of Hope and a vision of Freedom - What type of poem is The Mask of Anarchy?
a) Sonnet
b) Ode
c) Political ballad
d) Epic poem
Answer: c) Political ballad - What literary device is frequently used in The Mask of Anarchy?
a) Alliteration
b) Allegory
c) Metaphor
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above - Why was The Mask of Anarchy not published immediately after it was written?
a) Shelley lost the manuscript
b) The British government banned it
c) Shelley was unsure of its quality
d) It was published immediately
Answer: b) The British government banned it
| Question | Answer |
| Poem Name | The Mask of Anarchy |
| Poet | Percy Bysshe Shelley |
| Year Written | 1819 |
| Year Published | 1832 (posthumously) |
| Poem Type | Political Ballad |
| Rhyme Scheme | Irregular but mostly ABCB |
| Themes | Political oppression, tyranny, nonviolent resistance |
| Literary Devices | Allegory, Metaphor, Personification, Symbolism |
| Historical Context | Inspired by the Peterloo Massacre (1819) |
| Famous Line | “Ye are many—they are few!” |