Shelley saw the role of a poet as more than just an entertainer. For Shelley, poets were tragic figures with a deep understanding of nature who could use their poetry to subtly change the world through political, social, and spiritual reforms. Shelley himself participated in reforms and wrote about liberty, equality, and justice. However, he also saw poets as saviors who faced opposition from critics, tyrannical governments, and conventional society but who could inspire future generations through their work.