The Spirit of the Earth Character Analysis

The Spirit of the Earth is a childlike spirit who was very fond of Asia, Prometheus’s wife, before the corruption of Jupiter’s reign. She used to play with and confide in Asia, whom she called “mother.” During Jupiter’s reign, in which man’s relationship with nature was damaged, Asia notes that she has not seen the Spirit of the Earth. Once Prometheus is freed, Jupiter is toppled, and man’s harmonious relationship with nature is restored, the Spirit of the Earth is set free once more and runs careless and wild through the world. It is implied that the Spirit of the Earth is the child of Asia and Prometheus. This suggests that the union of knowledge, symbolized by Prometheus, and love, symbolized by Asia, creates greater communion with nature among mankind. The Spirit of the Earth is associated with appreciation of and freedom in nature, reflecting Shelley’s belief that time spent in nature was extremely important for man’s wellbeing.