I met Murder on the way - He had a mask like Castlereagh - Very smooth he looked, yet grim; Seven blood-hounds followed him.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The poet personifies Murder with a political mask and blood-hounds to criticize a specific figure of authority.
- In plain terms
- Shelley describes Murder wearing a politician's face with dogs chasing him.
- What can you take from it?
- Violence is personified to criticize political figures.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What does the mask represent?
- How is murder political?
Another view
The specific political reference may be obscure without external historical context.
More from Percy Bysshe Shelley
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