Percy Bysshe Shelley. Renaissance Man

Percy Bysshe Shelley was able to distill big themes into brilliant poems. In this collection ‘The Masque of Anarchy’ captures the appalling terror of British troops killing and injuring their own people as they peacefully protest for the reform of Parliamentary representation at Peterloo in Manchester on 16th August, 1819. ‘Adonais’ majestically captures his admiration and the deep tragic loss he felt for his friend and fellow Romantic poet John Keats. In ‘Ode To Liberty’ Shelley makes a bold plea for the support of revolutionary causes and for the expression of individual freedom.In these three pieces Shelley confirms that he did not limit himself in being part of the Romantic movement and was able to actively comment with conviction and passion on the social and political issues of his day.