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I met a traveller from an antique land, Who said—'Two vast and trunkless legs of stone Stand in the desert. . . . Near them, on the sand, Half sunk a shattered visage lies, whose frown, And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command, Tell that its sculptor well those passions read Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things, The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed; And on the pedestal, these words appear: My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings; Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair! Nothing beside remains. Round the decay Of that colossal Wreck, boundless and bare The lone and level sands stretch far away.'
Content Analysis
The narrator recounts a story from a traveler about the ruins of a statue in the desert. The statue is of a long-forgotten king, Ozymandias, whose proud and commanding expression is still visible on its shattered face. The pedestal contains an arrogant inscription boasting of his power, but it is surrounded by nothing but endless sand. The poem is a powerful meditation on the temporary nature of power and the ultimate futility of human ambition.
- The Transience of Power
- The Power of Art
- Human Pride and Futility
- Nature's Endurance
Irony: "The inscription 'Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!' is deeply ironic because no works remain, only a 'colossal Wreck'."
Alliteration: "'boundless and bare' and 'lone and level' create a sense of vast, empty space."
About the Author
Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792-1822) was one of the major English Romantic poets. 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.
Writing Style: Characterized by lyrical beauty, rich imagery, and complex verse forms. He often explored themes of nature, politics, and the human imagination.
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What is the ultimate fate of Ozymandias's great 'Works'?