The moon is also commonly categorised within poetry and prose as a symbol of femininity, set in opposition to the ‘masculinity’ of the sun. While this relation is most likely made due to its cyclical nature, arguably there are other qualities which match the guardian of the night sky to the fairer sex; draw your own conclusions as you will. The moon in Shelley’s evocative and enchanting poem-fragment is identified as a woman; one that while elegant is also rather unfortunate, characterised by weariness, without companion and also with hints of insanity – another trait typically associated with the moon (think of the connection between lunar, lunacy and lunatic). What makes the moon this way? Standing singular and separate from the stars in her own sky, only reflecting light from her male counterpart, ever changing yet remaining a constant. As Shelley presents it, the moon is a symbol of great contradiction, variability and loneliness – a lot less strange and supernatural and more relatable to ourselves than we usually consider.