In "Hymn to Intellectual Beauty" and "Ode to the West Wind," the basis is nature, and the search for knowledge and understanding the beauty of nature itself. In these poems, the power of nature ties into different cycles of natures death and destruction. The wind is the most powerful form of nature and has the most influence. In Shelley's poem "Ode to the West Wind," the wind is the force that has all the power. It moves quickly and can either destroy or be a very pleasant experience. In his writing, the wind can carry his words to other places. The wind can be responsible for as he states the cycles of nature, growth, destruction and death. Nature as a whole in this poem provides a strong sense of understanding throughout each scene. "O wild West Wind, thou breath of Autumn's being" This is where the speaker describes the West Wind like the breath of Autumn, autumns air. In the whole second stanza, the colors of the leaves are brought to our attention. "Yellow, and black, and pale, and hectic red, Pestilence-stricken multitudes: O thou, Who chariotest to their dark wintry bed." The leaves don't have that comforting feel that you'd get from autumn, this is a rather negative or frightening connotation, Shelley compares them to sick, fleeing ghosts. He also then acknowledges the change in the season from fall to winter. Shelley refers to the four colors of leaves, yellow, black, pale and red, as autumnal colors. He also connects skin color to these colors as well. Decaying leaves of Autumn to human downfall. The black color as death when disease takes control. Pale for chest ailments and red as blood. If we look further into it, one can say the use of the seasons also comes into play. Nature, such as the wind has a profound effect with the sheer power it brings. "Of the dying year, to which this closing night will be the dome of a vast sepulchre vaulted with all thy congregated might.
