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A sonnet poem about the transience of political power and the permanence of art, written by the English Romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley in 1817. The poem depicts a crumbling statue of Ozymandias, the ancient Egyptian pharaoh, as a symbol of the futility of human achievements and the glory of art. Themes include the power of art, the power of nature, and the contrast between man and nature.
- Summary
- Meaning
- Structure and Form
- Literary Devices
- Detailed Analysis
- Themes
- Tone
- Historical Context
- About Percy Bysshe Shelley
- Similar Poems
‘Ozymandias’ by Percy Bysshe Shelley(Bio | Poems)describes a traveler’s reaction to the half-buried, worn-out statue of the great pharaoh, Ramses II. In this poem, the speaker describes meeting a traveler “from an antique land.” The title, ‘Ozymandias,’notifies the reader that this land is most probably Egypt since Ozymandias was what the Greeks ca...
‘Ozymandias’ carries an extended metaphor throughout the entire poem. All around the traveler is desert — nothing is green or growing; the land is barren. The statue, however, still boasts of the accomplishments this civilization had in the past. The desert represents the fall of all empires — nothing powerful and rich can ever stay that strong for...
Form: SonnetMeter: Iambic PentameterShelley plays with a number of figurative devices in order to make the sonnet more appealing to readers. These devices include: 1. Enjambment: Shelley uses this device throughout the text. For example, it occurs in lines 2-8. By enjambing the lines, the poet creates a surprising flow. 2. Alliteration: It occurs in “an antique,” “stone/ Stand,” “sun...
Line 1
The text of ‘Ozymandias’ reads more like a story than a poem, although the line rhymes do help to remind the reader that this is not prose. The speaker in the poem, perhaps Percy Bysshe Shelley(Bio | Poems), tells the story from his point of view, using the pronoun “I.” In the first line, he talks about meeting a traveler from an antique country. At first, this line is a tad ambiguous: Is the traveler from “an antique land,” or did he just come back from visiting one? The reader also does not...
Lines 2-4
These lines are much clearer than the first, however, and it is clear to the reader what, exactly, is occurring in the sonnet. The rest of the poem is actually written in dialogue; the traveler recounts his experiences in Egypt to the poet’s persona. Lines two through fourteen are only one sentence in length, as well. These lines also contain some of the most vivid and beautiful imageryin all of poetry. Shelley was such a masterful writer that it does not take much effort on the reader’s part...
Lines 5-8
The traveler then turns his attention to the sculptor who made the statue. He comments that whomever the sculptor is, he knew his subject very well. Anyone could say that the artist had exceptionally captured the passions of the ruler. Though the pharaoh is long dead, he exists through the creation of a mere sculptor. So, who is more powerful in this case? Undoubtedly, it is the sculptor. He also seems to be commenting in line seven that while there is an end to living beings, art is eternal—...
Shelley makes use of a number of themesin this sonnet. The most important theme is the impermanence of a ruler’s glory and his legacy. It is an implicit hint at the idea of futility. No matter how hard a man tries to rivet his name, at some point, people will forget him. For example, Ozymandias tried to become greater than God. He declared himself ...
The overall theme of ‘Ozymandias’ is serious and awe-inspiring. For instance, the line, “Two vast and trunkless legs of stone,” arouses both fear and pity in the readers’ hearts. The size of the statue undoubtedly makes us wonder about the greatness and power of the ruler. Yet, they also take pity on the decaying depiction of the statue. It makes t...
It is an understatementto say that Shelley was a clever man. While one can read this poem to be about an ancient leader of Egypt, the poem could also be read as a criticism for the world in which Shelley lived. Ever the political critic, Shelley perhaps warns the leaders of England that they, too, will fall someday. Their overarching ambition might...
Though Shelley was one of the important Romantic poets, he never achieved fame while he was alive. However, he did keep company with some extremely talented writers. His good friends include Lord Byron(Bio | Poems) and John Keats(Bio | Poems). Besides, he was married to Mary Shelley, the author of Frankenstein. Shelley’s best-loved poems include ‘O...
Readers who liked Shelley’s ‘Ozymandias’ could also find the following poems interesting. These poems tap into similar themes. 1. ‘Pride’ by Francis Duggan(Poems)— This poem straightforwardly deals with the human ego and pride. 2. ‘Dust If You Must’ by Rose Milligan(Poems)— This piece is about the futility of life and the impermanence of human achi...
- Male
- Poetry Analyst
Percy Bysshe Shelley's 'Ozymandias' serves as a poignant exploration of humanity's insatiable hunger for power and the detrimental consequences that arise from its pursuit. Several poets, including Richard Watson Gilder and John B. Rosenma, have written poems titled "Ozymandias" in response to Shelley's work.
- 11 January 1818
- Sonnet
Ozymandias is first and foremost a metaphor for the ephemeral nature of political power, and in that sense the poem is Shelley’s most outstanding political sonnet, trading the specific rage of a poem like “England in 1819 ” for the crushing impersonal metaphor of the statue.
"Ozymandias" is one of the most famous poems of the Romantic era. It was written by Percy Bysshe Shelley in 1817 and eventually became his most famous work. The poem describes the half-buried remnants of a statue of Egyptian pharaoh Ramesses II and contrasts the pharaoh's proud words with his ruined likeness.
Study Guide. Summary & Analysis. When Percy Bysshe Shelley first wrote “Ozymandias” in 1817, he did so as part of a competition with his friend and fellow poet, Horace Smith. The two men each agreed to write a sonnet on the subject of Ozymandias, which is the Greek name for the ancient Egyptian king otherwise known as Rameses II.
Mar 11, 2016 · Given its status as a great poem, a few words by way of analysis might help to elucidate some of its features and effects, as well as its meaning – what exactly is Shelley saying about great empires and civilisations?
