This volume brings together important new readings of Shelley’s poetry by British critics. All of the contributors are aware of Shelley’s controversial political views, and assume from the outset an engaged political consciousness which informs every part of his work. But the primary intention in this collection is to provide positive reassessment of Shelley’s achievements and distinctive qualities as a writer. Included are detailed readings of the lyric poetry, the longer visionary narratives, and also the topical literary-political works. There are informed discussions of the local social and cultural circumstances in which some of Shelley’s best-known poems were written. In the poet’s bi-centenary year, these readings are offered in a spirit of celebration and appreciation of a writer whose primary importance lies, not in his ideas, or his life, or his contexts, but in his status as a major English poet. Contributors: VINCENT NEWEY, KELVIN EVEREST, TIMOTHY WEBB, RICHARD CRONIN, EDWARD LARRISSY, BERNARD BEATTY and MICHAEL O'NEILL.