Religiosity has probably a definite place in Shelley’s works. He has dealt with various creeds, doctrines and religions. His poems and essays have been partly allocated to directly or indirectly reform religious institutions, re-correct their personal-biased representatives and re-adopt himself to a desired creed. Seemingly he has been occupied in being accused of atheism to the level he called himself an atheist which may mean an antitheist- a contemplator, what others have decided for him, an atheist of a religion that its tops incite committing heinous acts against humanity in the name of God or an allusion in which he means to say if you religiosnism is like what you cruelly act and decadently behave, I consider myself an atheist of that religiosity. He appears to have found his antique clock which he had been seeking for so long in a certain monotheistic belief. The researcher focuses in this study on an overlooked creed in previous studies while other beliefs and creeds may be peeked out. It sheds light through descriptive and analytical approach together with reader’s-oriented response on major characteristics in Shelley’s life, letters and poems together with exposing some different critics’ and researchers’ views.
Table of Contents
1. Abstract
2. Introduction
3. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
The primary objective of this research is to challenge the traditional classification of P.B. Shelley as an atheist by exploring his intricate relationship with various religious doctrines, specifically focusing on his overlooked affinity for Islamic perspectives and monotheistic principles. The study examines whether Shelley's self-proclaimed "atheism" was a misunderstood label for a "contemplative antitheism" directed at hypocritical religious institutions rather than a denial of divinity.
- The re-evaluation of Shelley’s "atheism" as a reaction against institutional corruption and tyranny.
- An analysis of Shelley's literary engagement with Eastern cultures, particularly Islamic heritage and symbols.
- The thematic connection between Shelley's concepts of freedom, martyrdom, and non-violence and Islamic teachings.
- An investigation into the intentional omission or censorship of lines in Shelley’s works that relate to Islamic themes.
Excerpt from the Book
RE-VISITING P.B. SHELLEY’S ANTITHESISM AND CREED FROM A MIDDLE EASTERN PERSPECTIVE
Perhaps P.B.Shelley has probably heard from the horse’s mouth or read up on different religions, sects, doctrines and creeds. He exposes sound perceptions and profound thoughts of Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and idolatry. Besides, deism, panpsychism, pantheisticism, Manichaeism, Platonism,…, etc. His arguments and writings on religions or beliefs have not only perplexed critics but also let them doubt his religiousness. It has led some people to look at him as an atheist. This nickname which has usually been endorsed upon great poets throughout ages and geographies looks to have been attached to Shelley by some envious or mercenaries; “the rancorous abuse heaped on Shelley by the mercenary literature of the day”. In his poem Zeinab and Kathema, Shelley portrays Christian colonial cruelty “After slaughtering Zeinab’s Muslim family, the ‘Christian murderers’ carry her off to England”. She is followed by “her Hindu lover- Kathema to England where he found her being raped, killed and crucified”. The poet has written an essay under the title of A Refutation of the Christian Religion. He also appears to have detested achieving self-interest or praising tyranny in the name of religion. Shelley may have projected himself either an atheist of a religion that its heads are not only biased to tyranny but also incited tyrants to commit heinous acts against humanity in the name of God or an antitheist- a contemplator. The former can be evidenced in his perception on portraying a priest’s reaction on a murdering act as in “Upon approaching Naples, Shelley felt horror when he saw a man murdering a young with a knife made the fearful priest laugh. Angry at the priest, Shelley ‘never felt such an inclination to beat any one’”.
Summary of Chapters
1. Abstract: This chapter introduces the core argument that Shelley's religiosity was complex and mischaracterized, suggesting his "atheism" was a critique of dogmatic corruption rather than faith itself.
2. Introduction: This section provides the foundational context for the study, establishing Shelley's deep, albeit controversial, engagement with various world religions and his specific thematic leanings toward Islamic and Eastern thought.
3. Conclusion: This final chapter synthesizes the evidence, confirming that Shelley sought monotheistic peace and universal humanistic principles, likely finding common ground in the Middle Eastern traditions he explored.
Keywords
Percy Bysshe Shelley, Atheism, Antitheism, Islamic Creed, The Revolt of Islam, Romanticism, Monotheism, Religious Institutions, Tyranny, Orientalism, Literary Criticism, Martyrdom, Humanism, Contemplation, Middle Eastern Perspective.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The research examines the religious identity of P.B. Shelley, arguing that he was unfairly labeled an atheist and that his work reflects a deeper, contemplative engagement with spirituality and specifically Islamic principles.
What are the primary themes discussed in this work?
Central themes include the hypocrisy of religious institutions, the political use of religion, the concept of freedom, the nature of marriage, and the influence of Eastern and Islamic philosophy on Romantic literature.
What is the main research question regarding Shelley’s "atheism"?
The study asks whether Shelley’s self-identification as an atheist was actually a form of "antitheism," functioning as a protest against the oppressive and cruel behaviors of contemporary religious authorities.
What research methodology is applied?
The researcher utilizes a descriptive and analytical approach, combining a close reading of Shelley’s poems and essays with a reader-oriented response to highlight overlooked ideological connections.
What topics are covered in the main body of the text?
The text covers Shelley's reactions to Christian orthodoxy, his fascination with Eastern mysticism, textual analysis of poems like The Revolt of Islam, and evidence of deliberate censorship regarding his religious sentiments.
Which keywords best describe this research?
The paper is best defined by keywords such as Shelleyan studies, Islamic influence, literary censorship, monotheism, and historical religious critique.
How does the author interpret the poem "The Revolt of Islam"?
The author interprets it as a work that deeply aligns with Islamic principles of justice, peace, and the rejection of retribution, rather than just a simple narrative of two lovers.
What is the significance of the "deleted lines" mentioned in the study?
The author argues that these lines, which link Shelley to Islamic concepts, were likely censored by others to maintain the narrative of Shelley as a radical atheist or to avoid potential controversy.
How does the researcher explain Mary Shelley’s reaction to her husband's work?
The researcher suggests that Mary Shelley intentionally obfuscated or avoided the specific "Islamiticity" of her husband's work in her prefaces to protect his image or conform to contemporary social pressures.
What conclusion does the author reach about Shelley’s personal faith?
The author concludes that Shelley was not a denier of God, but a seeker who ultimately found resonance with monotheistic ideals found in Middle Eastern religious traditions.
- Quote paper
- Husni Mansoor Nasser Saleh (Author), 2018, Re-Visiting P.B. Shelley's Antithesism and Creed from a Middle Eastern Perspective, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/437785
