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Ozymandias

The sonnet "Ozymandias" by Percy Bysshe Shelley describes a traveler coming upon a ruined statue in the desert. The statue's face is shattered but still expresses arrogance, showing the king's proud claim to be "king of kings." However, nothing remains of the king's works and accomplishments, only endless desert sands. The poem uses this scene to illustrate how all earthly power and glory are fleeting, and only nature remains unchanged in the face of time. It presents a central Romantic theme about the impermanence of human achievements and the enduring power of nature.

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Gokul Ramachandiran
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260 views2 pages

Ozymandias

The sonnet "Ozymandias" by Percy Bysshe Shelley describes a traveler coming upon a ruined statue in the desert. The statue's face is shattered but still expresses arrogance, showing the king's proud claim to be "king of kings." However, nothing remains of the king's works and accomplishments, only endless desert sands. The poem uses this scene to illustrate how all earthly power and glory are fleeting, and only nature remains unchanged in the face of time. It presents a central Romantic theme about the impermanence of human achievements and the enduring power of nature.

Uploaded by

Gokul Ramachandiran
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Ozymandias

- P.B.Shelley

Introduction:

P.B.Shelley is one of the major writers of English Romanticism. Although a


talented lyricist, he is known for his controversial views on religion, atheism, socialism
and free love. Among his works, the best known are his poems, “Ode to a Skylark”, “Ode
to the West wind”, “The Cloud” and “Adonais”

Theme of the Sonnet:

“Ozymandias” is one of the well-known sonnets of Shelley that brings out the
futility of pride, especially that of an Egyptian Pharaoh, Ramesses II. He is known by this
title, “Ozymandias”, for the architectural structures erected during his reign, particularly
temples at Thebes. However, the poem with the description of a decaying statue is a
symbol of the ‘decline’ of man’s possession and power in time. Ironically it presents the
power of Nature and its ability to destroy, one of the major classic themes of
Romanticism.

The Hand that Mocked:

In the form of an irregular sonnet, it tells the experience of a traveler from an


“antique” land, probably Egypt. He narrates that he had seen two huge and trunkless
legs in the desert. Near them lay the “shattered” face of the colossal statue. The
sculptor had carved the haughtiness of the king very well. In the face of the sculpture,
one could read the expressions of anger and arrogant behaviour. The kings passions
carved in the sculpture outlived the sculptors’ hand that had ridiculed the passions of
the king. The sculptor is dead but his sculpture lives. It is a great work of art.

Irony of the situation:

The words on the pedestal imply the proud nature of the dead king. Ozymandias
describes himself as “king of kings” but nothing else is left. Although he brags about his
own “works”, the accomplishments which nobody could equal, nothing remains except
the vast stretches of land. The poet brings out the ironic contrast between the
inscription and the emptiness of its surroundings effectively, through the last lines.

Conclusion:

The central theme of this sonnet is the ironic commentary on the vanity of
human glory. Nothing has a permanent value including fame and grandeur. Thus, life is
short and earthly glory dies. It reiterates the characteristics of Romanticism, “Art is long
and Life is short.”

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