Summary of Percy Shelley’s Significance

2025/10/14

Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792–1822) was a prominent English Romantic poet known for his radical and visionary works. Born into a wealthy Sussex family, he was educated at Eton College and later at Oxford University, although he was expelled for his pamphlet “The Necessity of Atheism.” Shelley’s poetry often reflected his advocacy for social reform, political justice, and personal liberty. Works such as “Ozymandias” and “The Masque of Anarchy” showcase his idealism and lyrical prowess. Shelley sometimes wrote dark poetry, exploring themes of loss, alienation, and the ephemeral nature of human life. His untimely death came at the age of 29 when he drowned in a sailing accident in Italy.