generally associated with symbolic representations in nature. "Nineteenth century poets shared a belief in the possibility of reaching absolute truth" (Colville, 3). Shelley's won thoughts on truth include: "True knowledge leads to love." Shelley, however, provides a unique twist to Romanticism with his preoccupation with myth, atheism, and concern with politics. Shelley had great concern for social standards in his day and time, and he closely combined these concerns with the current physical scientific advances. Romantics, often credited as Laudites, showed a strange appreciation for scientific advances. Among the first salient contradictions of Shelley's confessed philosophy and his actions was his marriage to Harriet Westbrook. Despite his disbelief in the institution of marriage, Shelley married Westbrook in order to free her from the expectations of her father. The couple enjoyed a small salary from the tavern-keeper, Mr. Westbrook. Harriet Westbrook never understood her husband though, and she ultimately took her own life. Shelley's first marriage was only the beginning of the twisted tale. During his marriage to Westbrook, Shelley decided to pursue an interaction with Godwin, who had inspired much of his thought. Godwin accepted an interview with Shelley. It seemed, however, that Shelley was not the only philosopher whose claims and actions did not coincide. Even Godwin, whom Shelley held in high esteem, was living a less than desirable home life with several children of several marriages! Shelley fell in love with one of Godwin's daughters, Mary Wollstonecraft. Once again abandoning his disbelief in marriage, Shelley and Wollstonecraft eloped. Not being susceptible to other social expectations, Shelley never formally divorced his first wife and the three people even made a tragic attempt to live together! It is not known how Shelley justified his marriages in his own mind. It is proof however that as much as ...
