45, 46:— by Percy Bysshe Shelley: Summary, Meaning & Analysis
This text isn't just a standalone poem; it's actually two footnotes (numbered 45 and 46) from Shelley's lengthy philosophical work *Queen Mab*, connected to a fragment about a dim, reddish sun.
The poem
To the red and baleful sun That faintly twinkles there. The north polar star, to which the axis of the earth, in its present state of obliquity, points. It is exceedingly probable, from many considerations, that this obliquity will gradually diminish, until the equator coincides with the ecliptic: the nights and days will then become equal on the earth throughout the year, and probably the seasons also. There is no great extravagance in presuming that the progress of the perpendicularity of the poles may be as rapid as the progress of intellect; or that there should be a perfect identity between the moral and physical improvement of the human species. It is certain that wisdom is not compatible with disease, and that, in the present state of the climates of the earth, health, in the true and comprehensive sense of the word, is out of the reach of civilized man. Astronomy teaches us that the earth is now in its progress, and that the poles are every year becoming more and more perpendicular to the ecliptic. The strong evidence afforded by the history of mythology, and geological researches, that some event of this nature has taken place already, affords a strong presumption that this progress is not merely an oscillation, as has been surmised by some late astronomers. (Laplace, “Systeme du Monde”.) Bones of animals peculiar to the torrid zone have been found in the north of Siberia, and on the banks of the river Ohio. Plants have been found in the fossil state in the interior of Germany, which demand the present climate of Hindostan for their production. (Cabanis, “Rapports du Physique et du Moral de l’Homme”, volume 2 page 406.) The researches of M. Bailly establish the existence of a people who inhabited a tract in Tartary 49 degrees north latitude, of greater antiquity than either the Indians, the Chinese, or the Chaldeans, from whom these nations derived their sciences and theology. (Bailly, “Lettres sur les Sciences, a Voltaire”.) We find, from the testimony of ancient writers, that Britain, Germany, and France were much colder than at present, and that their great rivers were annually frozen over. Astronomy teaches us also that since this period the obliquity of the earth’s position has been considerably diminished.
This text isn't just a standalone poem; it's actually two footnotes (numbered 45 and 46) from Shelley's lengthy philosophical work *Queen Mab*, connected to a fragment about a dim, reddish sun. In these notes, Shelley suggests that the Earth's axis is gradually straightening. He believes that once this happens, the planet's climate will achieve perfect balance, and so too will human society. Essentially, he's arguing that physical nature and moral advancement are intertwined, proposing that a golden age is not merely a myth but a scientific forecast.
Line-by-line
To the red and baleful sun / That faintly twinkles there.
The north polar star, to which the axis of the earth, in its present state of obliquity, points...
Bones of animals peculiar to the torrid zone have been found in the north of Siberia...
Tone & mood
The tone strikes a balance between urgency and optimism—it's the voice of a young man who has immersed himself in literature and wants you to share in the excitement of the evidence he's gathered. There's no trace of sadness here. Shelley writes these notes like a dedicated student presenting a thesis: citing influential figures (Laplace, Cabanis, Bailly), building a strong case with examples, and arriving at a conclusion that feels almost unavoidable. The short verse fragment that kicks off the notes carries a darker, more foreboding tone—'baleful'—but the prose swiftly shifts back to a sense of hope. The overall impression is of someone genuinely thrilled by the universe's slow, intricate workings.
Symbols & metaphors
- The red and baleful sun — The pole star appears dim, reddish, and ominous in today's conditions. It symbolizes the Earth's current imperfect tilt and reflects the flawed state of human civilization: troubled, unequal, and still not entirely rational.
- Axial obliquity (the Earth's tilt) — The physical representation of all that’s wrong with the world. While the axis remains tilted, we face unequal seasons, extreme climates, compromised health, and wisdom that feels just out of reach. Its slow correction drives us toward a better future.
- Fossil bones and plants — Material proof exists that the world has been different before — warmer and more uniform — and therefore *can* be different again. This serves as evidence against despair and supports the possibility of radical change.
- The equator coinciding with the ecliptic — The ideal outcome Shelley envisions is an Earth standing perfectly upright, where days and seasons are equal, and everyone enjoys equal health. It serves as a secular paradise, a scientific take on the golden age.
- Frozen rivers of Britain and France — Historical testimony shows that climate has shifted dramatically within our recorded history. This frames the argument in the context of human experience instead of distant astronomical concepts, making the upcoming changes feel tangible and imminent.
Historical context
These footnotes can be found in *Queen Mab: A Philosophical Poem* (1813), a work Shelley wrote when he was just nineteen and published himself at twenty. The poem is a bold critique of monarchy, religion, war, and commerce, with its prose notes almost matching the length of the verses. Shelley used these notes to anchor his radical ideas in science, philosophy, and history. He tapped into the French materialist tradition (think Cabanis and Holbach) and the Enlightenment astronomy of Laplace. The belief that moral and physical progress are interconnected was a shared notion among radicals of the time, and Shelley took it to its extreme. *Queen Mab* was suppressed and circulated secretly, becoming a key text for early British working-class radicals. Although Shelley later sought to distance himself from its more provocative sections, the scientific optimism expressed in these notes continued to influence his thoughts throughout his brief life.
FAQ
They are notes for *Queen Mab: A Philosophical Poem* (1813), which is Shelley's first significant work. The line 'To the red and baleful sun / That faintly twinkles there' can be found in the poem, with footnotes 45 and 46 added to clarify the astronomical and geological concepts related to it.
Partly. The Earth's axial tilt changes over a cycle of about 41,000 years (the Milankovitch cycle), and it is currently on a very slow decline. Shelley's sources, especially Laplace, were credible. However, his jump from physical astronomy to moral progress isn't scientific; it's more of a philosophical argument presented as science. The fossil and paleoclimate evidence he references aligns generally with current understanding, though his interpretation leans toward the optimistic side.
He was operating within a materialist tradition that viewed the human mind and body as shaped by their physical surroundings. When the climate becomes more stable, our bodies tend to be healthier; healthier bodies lead to better functioning minds; and improved minds contribute to fairer societies. It's a chain reaction that connects astronomy to politics.
Pierre-Simon Laplace was the leading French astronomer of his time, and his *Système du Monde* became the go-to reference for celestial mechanics. Pierre-Jean-Georges Cabanis, a French physician and philosopher, contended that our mental experiences arise from physical processes. Jean-Sylvain Bailly, an astronomer and historian, investigated ancient civilizations. Shelley references these figures to demonstrate that his utopian ideas are grounded in established European science rather than just fanciful notions.
It refers to the angle at which the Earth's axis tilts in relation to its orbit around the Sun. Right now, this angle is approximately 23.5 degrees. Shelley suggests that as this angle approaches zero, the seasonal differences will lessen, leading to a uniformly mild climate across the entire planet throughout the year.
It criticized the monarchy, organized religion (particularly Christianity), the institution of marriage, and the meat trade all at once. The prose notes are even clearer than the poem itself. Although Shelley never formally published the poem during his life—he printed 250 copies for private distribution—pirated versions spread widely, making it a key reference for radical and freethinking movements in the early nineteenth century.
It's the historical geographical term for the tropical zone around the equator — the area between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. For Shelley, discovering bones of tropical animals in Siberia proved that the Earth's climate used to be much more consistent than it is now.
The same belief in slow yet certain progress toward a better world is present in *Prometheus Unbound* (1820) and *Hellas* (1822). While the scientific perspective is distinctive to *Queen Mab*, the core idea — that the universe moves toward freedom — links all of Shelley's significant works.