Air Quote by Mark Akenside
“Hence when lightning fires the arch of heaven, and thunders rock the ground, when furious whirlwinds rend the howling air, and ocean, groaning from his lowest bed, heaves his tempestuous billows to the sky; amid the mighty uproar, while below the nations tremble, Shakespeare looks abroad from some high cliff, superior, and enjoys the elemental war.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: The Pleasures of the Imagination, 1743
Shakespeare observes the elemental chaos from a lofty view, enjoying the drama of nature.
In simple terms: Shakespeare enjoys nature’s chaos.
Find awe in natural forces.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- storm watching
- poetry
- philosophical contemplation
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What does chaos teach us?
- How to balance awe and safety?
Romanticizing chaos can ignore its danger.