The poem was a satirical attack and criticism of the British government. Satan is depicted meeting with key members of the British government. The work is important in Shelley's development and evolution of writings that castigate and criticise the British government to achieve political and economic reform.

Shelley's critical reputation fluctuated during the 20th century, but in recent decades he has achieved increasing critical acclaim for the sweeping momentum of his poetic imagery, his mastery of genres and verse forms, and the complex interplay of sceptical, idealist, and materialist ideas in his work.

Shelley also wrote prose fiction and a quantity of essays on political, social, and philosophical issues. Much of this poetry and prose was not published in his lifetime, or only published in expurgated form, due to the risk of prosecution for political and religious libel.