Hellas (poem)

Hellas is a verse drama by Percy Bysshe Shelley, written in 1821 and published in 1822 by Charles and James Ollier in London.

Shelley wrote it while living in Pisa, with a view to raising money for the Greek War of Independence.

During their conversation, Mahmud sinks more and more into despair as he, in spite of reports of Turkish victories, realizes that he has lost the war.

Alternating between the three dialogue parts is a chorus of enslaved Greek women, who furnish the drama with hope and aspirations for freedom's victory.

Their participation is not directly connected to the insurrection of Greece, but rather expresses a universalized view of the futility of war.