Lack Of Power In Ozymandias By Percy Bysshe Shelley

Shelley’s poem and depiction of Ozymandias could be a symbolic way of promoting his views against the monarchy, as he depicts Ozymandias as a tyrant with harsh descriptions such as “a sneer of cold command” and mocks him with the juxtaposition of “king of kings” and “colossal wreck”. However, instead of obviously putting forward his views and risking negative exposure, Shelley distances himself from the poem with intriguing use of multiple perspectives. The poem begins with “I met”, a first person introduction, but quickly switches to the traveller’s perspective as Shelley depicts what the traveller saw. In this way, he subtly puts across his socialist views without incriminating himself through symbolism and distancing himself from the narrative. In this way, the poem presents two powerful rulers, with Ozymandias symbolising King George.

The life of a dominant king who got lost in the things of the world, resulted in him losing focus on his destiny through power and time. It is a battle between man and the natural world he faced. Percy Shelley’s poem, Ozymandias, demonstrates that no matter the position one holds, in time, power can be arrogant and ruling, but cannot ultimately last for an eternity.

Percy Bysshe Shelley wrote this poem "Ozymandias" to express to us that possessions do not mean immortality. He used very strong imagery and irony to get his point across throughout the poem. In drawing these vivid and ironic pictures in our minds, Shelley was trying to explain that no one lives forever, and nor do their possessions. Shelley expresses this poem’s moral through a vivid and ironic picture. A shattered stone statue with only the legs and head remaining, standing in the desert, the face is proud and arrogant, "Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown, And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command, Tell that its sculptor well those passions read"(lines, 4-6).

Romanticism is composed of several different themes, all of which are definitive of what Romanticism entails; one of the most prevalent and important of these themes is that of alienation, whether it be from oneself or from the world. Several poets in the Romantic period wrote on this theme, but one who imparted the most meaning in the fewest amount of words is Percy Bysshe Shelley in “Ozymandias.” Shelley tackles the idea of separate existence from yourself in a unique way: as opposed to the way William Wordsworth would tell his audience what they needed to do in order to avoid alienation, Shelley presents to his audience an example of alienation causing a person to fade into past. In telling the story of Ozymandias, King of Kings, Shelley

The poem "Ozymandias" is one of the best sonnets of Percy Bysshe Shelley. In this poem Shelley described a mighty king who was striving in his whole life for his possessions and got involved in worldly assignments so much that he forgot his ultimate destiny. Beside this, Shelley reminds the readers of their mortality through the realization that our earthly accomplishments, so important to us now, will one day be finished. By drawing these vivid and ironic pictures in readers minds, with different symbols, Shelley was trying to illustrate that no one lives forever in the

Ozymandias by Percy Bysshe Shelley and London by William Blake both explore the theme of power, and how nothing is permanent since time can destroy anything. Both poems relate to the romantic era because romantic writers believed in the idea of nature, and the poem Ozymandias is a reminder that all man-made things will lose to time and the earth. But in comparison London contrasts this reminder, as the industrialization in London is destroying nature, but yet it reinforces the idea that time can change anything.

Power is the old stone building that stands for centuries. I cannot respect someone who doesn’t see the difference.” (Spacey, Kevin.) Running in line with the writer Percy Bysshe Shelley in his piece “Ozymandias,” whereas he depicted an arrogant, long dead king ironically being prideful of his power, claiming it would never end. People never forget what you did, particularly if you’ve improved their lives, but money fades away as quickly as it was deposited into your account.

There is clear tension weaved through out Shelley’s poem. It creates an emotional imbalance that makes the reader feel uncertainty because of the opposite ideas that are presented in the same lines. “The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed them” (Shelley 8). Ozymandias was a harsh ruler that didn’t spare a kind word to his subjects. Even though they endorsed and supported him, he couldn’t be bothered to treat them with respect. He “mocked” them but despite that, in the same line it is said he supplied them with food. Ozymandias knew the fine line between being a strict leader and malevolent king. He fed his people because that was the only reason they would tolerate his severity without revolting. He made it so they were dependent on him and enforced their loyalty. The kindness of feeding them is a mask for his true, much more selfish nature. That is why the two words are linked because although they are opposite concepts, it’s all a part of his identity and how he rules as a king. Another example of these conflicting ideologies is in line 7, “Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things.” “Surviving” is all his subjects were afforded. They are not allowed to live full and plentiful lives because of the cruelty of their ruler. They were oppressed and although they were technically alive, they didn’t have their own free will. They had to follow their ruler’s orders and were slaves. They become “lifeless” because they have no free will. Their job is to be dutiful servants to Ozymandias. The tension in the poem conveys the depth and complexity of Ozymandias. He puts on a façade but his subjects see past the thin veiled mask. They are aware of his cruelty and

In the first week of scholarship we began with an introduction to the module. I understood that the module focuses on helping us to develop various skills, such as study skills, research skills, and how to work at a degree level in general. This will be helpful because I can learn new skills and develop my current skills, which will be beneficial for my improvement as I progress through my degree.

 The poem "Ozymandias" tells a story about a traveler, who reveals his or her story to the narrator of the poem. The author of the poem is Percy Bysshe Shelley. He keeps the interest of the poem by using constant sounds and images that are clear and concise, by supplying mystery with words that have more than one meaning, and by using a spectrum of words that capture the interpreters attention.

An overwhelming theme in “Ozymandias” by Percy Bysshe Shelley is pride. Percy conveys this theme through a travelers story of a vast desert holding an ancient civilization. The traveler tells the narrator of a broken decayed statue with “two vast and trunkless legs of stone” and next to it a “half sunk a shattered visage of lies” meaning the statues face was still there broken off lying next to its base. He told that on the pedestal there was writing that wrote out “My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings; Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and Despair!”

Shelley’s version of “Ozymandias” pays particular attention to the details of what remains of Ramses’s statue. Shelley conveys to the reader that no matter how powerful a ruler may be, their influence will fade with time. The description of what Babylon looks like when the poem was written gives the reader a clear

The poems, “Ozymandias” by P. B. Shelley, and “Richard Cory” by A. E. Robinson, both present death as something which inevitable and inescapable, regardless of power and riches. “Ozymandias” talks about the great Pharaoh Ramesses II, who was viewed as a very cruel dictator, known for his tyrannical nature. Robinson on the other hand presents a very different picture: a man who seems to have no regard for his riches and fame, and instead sees death as the best method to escape from his misery. Both poets draw on prominent authority figures they have been influenced by, however there is contrast in their method of delivery. While “Ozymandias”, is centered on irony and the mockery of Ramesses II, this is present through the extensive use of

The poem “Ozymandias” is considered one of Percy Bysshe Shelley’s best sonnets. It was written in 1817 and is still recognized today as its meaning still holds true. “Ozymandias” illustrates the fall of power and mortality through a once powerful king. This is shown through the pride of the king, the tyranny that the king ruled by, and the transience of his ruling and empire.

By calling himself “king of kings”, he alludes to God and believes he is greater than all other men. He ruled his kingdom solely on the fear of those beneath him. The intimidating language on the pedestal and the statue made for him display that Ozymandias possessed almighty power. To end the poem, Shelley writes, “Round the decay of that colossal Wreck, boundless and bare The line and level sands stretch far away.” As time passed, the sand literally destroyed the symbol of what was once the greatest man alive.