The Revolt of Islam

"The Revolt of Islam", is a poem composed by Percy Bysshe Shelley in 1817. The poem was originally titled "Laon and Cythna". The plot centres on two characters named Laon and Cythna who initiate a bloodless revolution against the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire. Despite its title, the poem does not have anything to do with Islam in particular, though the general subject of religion is addressed. Shelley identified and aligned himself strongly with the then-shocking notion of atheism.

Preface

In the preface, Shelley says that this poem is narrative, not historical per se. He also acknowledges a reference to the deleterious outcome of the French Revolution. Further, he adds that his influences were mostly life experiences, although obviously his writing may have been forged by past readings. Moreover, he claims that he did not write this poem for reviewers but rather for poetry's sake.

Dedication

The Poem has a dedication "to Mary__ __" comprising a verse by George Chapman:

There is no danger to a man, that knows
What life and death is: there's not any law
Exceeds his knowledge; neither is it lawful
That he should stoop to any other law. [Hutchinson, Thomas (undated). "The Complete Poetical Works of Percy Bysshe Shelley: Including Materials Never Before Printed in any Edition of the Poems & Edited with Textural Notes". E. W. Cole: Commonwealth of Australia; Book Arcade, Melbourne. P.38. (NB: Hardcover, clothbound, embossed.) Published prior to issuing of ISBN.]

Notes

References

*Hutchinson, Thomas (undated). "The Complete Poetical Works of Percy Bysshe Shelley: Including Materials Never Before Printed in any Edition of the Poems & Edited with Textural Notes". E. W. Cole: Commonwealth of Australia; Book Arcade, Melbourne. (NB: Hardcover, clothbound, embossed.) Published prior to issuing of ISBN.