Irony-the power that Ozymandias tries to capture for the eternity has become a testimony to his mutability.Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown Boundless and bare.Structure-sonnet(but not Shakespearian).At the same time it is not only capable of destroying but also can punish the arrogant ones. Nature is a source of inspiration and creation like the massive statue. Power of nature-he shows the positive as well as negative aspect of nature.The poem shows that political leadership is fleeting and forgotten, no matter how hard a ruler may try to preserve his own greatness”, (David Wheeler).

This is a political poem which gives insights into the poet’s views on power, fame and political legacy. So Ozymandias is the ruler of air or the ruler of nothing.(Wealer). “Ozy” comes from the Greek term “ozium”which means “air” and “mandius”comes from “mandate’ which means “to rule”. Ramses II was one of Egypt’s greatest pharaos who is known not only for his building programs but also for several ambitious foreign military campaigns and for his diplomacy as well. “Ozymandias is an ancient Greek name for Ramses II“pharao” of Egypt during the 19thdynasty. The traveller talks about a broken statue of a great emperor called ‘Ozymandias” he has seen. He narrates the story told by the traveller as he hears without adding or omitting anything, that’s why it is given in reported speech. The speaker meets a traveller who was from the antique land. The poem describes the antique statue of Ozymandias. A radical in his poetry as well as in his political and social views, Shelley did not see fame during his lifetime, but recognition of his achievements in poetry grew steadily following his death. Shelley and his friend Thomas Jefferson Hogg had published a pamphlet titled “The Necessity of Atheism” which created much controversy as a result of which Shelley was expelled from the university. In 1810, Shelly entered University College, Oxford. As a result, he retreated into his imagination to get rid of his loneliness. His school days were unpleasant as he was often bullied by the other students both mentally and physically due to his shyness, a usual behavior in a man. Percy Bysshe Shelly was a controversial romantic poet in the 19th century. The lone and level sands stretch far away.” About Percy Bysshe Shelley Of that colossal Wreck, boundless and bare Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair! The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed

Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things, Tell that its sculptor well those passions read Half sunk a shattered visage lies, whose frown,Īnd wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command, Who said-“Two vast and trunkless legs of stone Ozymandias Summary and Analysis Ozymandias Poem

Summary of ozymandias