“Ozymandias” by Percy Bysshe Shelley (1818)

Shelley wrote “Ozymandias” in 1817 as part of a competition with his friend Horace Smith. The Examiner published the poem in January of 1818, and Shelley wrote this particular work in the form of a sonnet (14 lines, iambic pentameter, set rhyme scheme, etc.). In the sonnet competition with Smith, the two had to write a sonnet on a specific topic in an allotted amount of time. Shelley’s sonnet describes a broken statue of a once famous and powerful ruler reduced to rubble. The main message to readers is to beware of hubris and overfeeding one’s ego.

“England in 1819” by Percy Bysshe Shelley (1839)

Though it was published posthumously, Shelley originally wrote “England in 1819” in the year that appears in the title. He wrote the poem in response to the Peterloo Massacre, which occurred when peaceful demonstrators desiring parliamentary reform were charged by the cavalry, killing 15. The poem was most likely not published right away as Shelley could have been charged with sedition. The poem gives a biting critique of royalty, politicians, and the army.

“A Lament” by Percy Bysshe Shelley (1824)

Published posthumously by Mary Shelley, this particular poem has a pessimistic tone and message.