Ozymandias
by Percy Bysshe Shelley
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 upon 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.
Summary
"Ozymandias" is a sonnet written by Percy Bysshe Shelley, published in 1818. The poem tells the story of a traveller who recounts the discovery of a ruined statue in the desert. The statue, described as two vast and trunkless legs of stone, is all that remains of a once-mighty empire. The shattered visage of the statue, with its frown, wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command, suggests the arrogance and pride of the ruler it represents.
The inscription on the pedestal reveals the identity of the statue as Ozymandias, the self-proclaimed "king of kings." The inscription boasts of the ruler's great works, and it commands the mighty to despair when beholding his achievements. However, the irony lies in the fact that nothing of Ozymandias's empire or grandeur remains. The once-powerful kingdom has crumbled into a colossal wreck, and all that surrounds it is the endless expanse of lone and level sands stretching far away.
The poem serves as a meditation on the transience of human power and the inevitable decay of all earthly things. It highlights the impermanence of empires and the fleeting nature of human achievements, emphasizing the eventual insignificance of even the most powerful rulers and their legacies.
Critical Analysis
"Ozymandias" by Percy Bysshe Shelley is a strong commentary on the transient nature of power, ambition, and human civilization itself. Through vivid imagery and masterful use of language, Shelley crafts a narrative that serves as a timeless warning against hubris [exaggerated pride or self-confidence] and the folly of placing too much faith in earthly achievements.
The poem begins with the poet recounting a meeting with a traveller who describes encountering the remnants of a once-great monument in the desert. This monument, consisting of two vast and trunkless legs of stone, with a shattered visage lying nearby, is all that remains of the statue of Ozymandias, a king who once ruled as a mighty monarch. The description of the statue's features—its frown, wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command—captures the arrogance and authoritarianism of its subject.
Shelley then shifts the focus to the inscription on the pedestal, which defiantly proclaims, "My name is Ozymandias, king of kings: / Look upon my works, ye Mighty, and despair!" Here, the king's hubris is laid bare for all to see. Despite his grandiose [ grand ]claims and monumental efforts to immortalise himself, all that remains is a crumbling ruin, surrounded by endless desert sands. The irony is palpable: the very act of boasting about his power and achievements serves only to underscore their ultimate insignificance in the face of time and nature.
The poem's central theme revolves around the idea of impermanence and the inevitable decay of human endeavours. Ozymandias, once a powerful ruler whose name struck fear into the hearts of his subjects, is now reduced to a mere memory—a cautionary tale of the transience of earthly glory. The juxtaposition of the grandiose inscription with the desolate landscape serves to highlight the vastness of time and the insignificance of human achievements in the grand scheme of things.
Moreover, Shelley's use of language and imagery adds layers of meaning to the poem. The choice of the name "Ozymandias," derived from the Greek for "the king's name is revered," is itself ironic, as it underscores the discrepancy between the king's grandiose self-image and his ultimate fate. The image of the "shattered visage" lying in the sand evokes a sense of desolation and decay, while the "sneer of cold command" speaks to the king's arrogance and tyranny.
In conclusion, "Ozymandias" is a powerful meditation on the fleeting nature of power and the inevitable decline of human civilization. Through vivid imagery, ironic juxtaposition, and profound themes, Shelley invites readers to reflect on the hubris of rulers, the folly of ambition, and the enduring legacy of time. In doing so, he creates a timeless work of literature that continues to resonate with readers centuries after it was written.
"Ozymandias" by Percy Bysshe Shelley is a strong commentary on the transient nature of power, ambition, and human civilization itself. Through vivid imagery and masterful use of language, Shelley crafts a narrative that serves as a timeless warning against hubris [exaggerated pride or self-confidence] and the folly of placing too much faith in earthly achievements.
The poem begins with the poet recounting a meeting with a traveller who describes encountering the remnants of a once-great monument in the desert. This monument, consisting of two vast and trunkless legs of stone, with a shattered visage lying nearby, is all that remains of the statue of Ozymandias, a king who once ruled as a mighty monarch. The description of the statue's features—its frown, wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command—captures the arrogance and authoritarianism of its subject.
Shelley then shifts the focus to the inscription on the pedestal, which defiantly proclaims, "My name is Ozymandias, king of kings: / Look upon my works, ye Mighty, and despair!" Here, the king's hubris is laid bare for all to see. Despite his grandiose [ grand ]claims and monumental efforts to immortalise himself, all that remains is a crumbling ruin, surrounded by endless desert sands. The irony is palpable: the very act of boasting about his power and achievements serves only to underscore their ultimate insignificance in the face of time and nature.
The poem's central theme revolves around the idea of impermanence and the inevitable decay of human endeavours. Ozymandias, once a powerful ruler whose name struck fear into the hearts of his subjects, is now reduced to a mere memory—a cautionary tale of the transience of earthly glory. The juxtaposition of the grandiose inscription with the desolate landscape serves to highlight the vastness of time and the insignificance of human achievements in the grand scheme of things.
Moreover, Shelley's use of language and imagery adds layers of meaning to the poem. The choice of the name "Ozymandias," derived from the Greek for "the king's name is revered," is itself ironic, as it underscores the discrepancy between the king's grandiose self-image and his ultimate fate. The image of the "shattered visage" lying in the sand evokes a sense of desolation and decay, while the "sneer of cold command" speaks to the king's arrogance and tyranny.
In conclusion, "Ozymandias" is a powerful meditation on the fleeting nature of power and the inevitable decline of human civilization. Through vivid imagery, ironic juxtaposition, and profound themes, Shelley invites readers to reflect on the hubris of rulers, the folly of ambition, and the enduring legacy of time. In doing so, he creates a timeless work of literature that continues to resonate with readers centuries after it was written.
Answer the following questions briefly.
(a) "The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed." Whose hand and heart has the poet referred to in this line?
(b) "My name is Ozymandias, king of kings:" Why does Ozymandias refer to himself as King of Kings? What quality of the king is revealed through this statement.
(c) "Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!" Who is Ozymandias referring to when he speaks of ‘ye Mighty’? Why should they despair ?
(d) Bring out the irony in the poem.
(e) 'Nothing beside remains.' What does the narrator mean when he says these words?
(f) What is your impression of Ozymandias as a king?
(g) What message is conveyed through this poem?
Answers
(a) In the line "The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed," the poet is referring to the sculptor's hand that created the statue and the sculptor's heart that understood and portrayed the passions of Ozymandias.
(b) Ozymandias refers to himself as "King of Kings" to emphasize his power and dominance over other rulers. This statement reveals his pride, arrogance, and desire for absolute authority.
(c) When Ozymandias speaks of "ye Mighty," he is referring to other powerful rulers or leaders. They should despair because, despite Ozymandias' boastful claim, all that remains of his once-great works is a shattered statue in the vast and empty desert.
(d) Irony in the poem lies in the stark contrast between Ozymandias' proud inscription on the pedestal, boasting of his great works and power, and the reality of the ruined and desolate state of those works. The once-mighty king's empire has crumbled, and there is nothing left for the mighty to admire or fear.
(e) "Nothing beside remains" indicates that Ozymandias' empire and achievements have been reduced to ruins and the lone and level sands of the desert. All that is left is the decaying statue, emphasizing the impermanence of human achievements.
(f) Ozymandias is portrayed as a prideful and arrogant king who overestimates the permanence of his achievements. His belief in his own greatness is shattered by the ruins and the passage of time, revealing the transience of power and the inevitable decline of even the mightiest rulers.
(g) The poem conveys a message about the fleeting nature of human power, pride, and achievements. It warns against arrogance and the belief in the permanence of worldly accomplishments. Despite Ozymandias' grandiose claims, time has eroded his empire, leaving only a broken statue as a testament to the impermanence of human glory.
Extra Questions
-
How does Shelley use imagery to depict the ruins of Ozymandias's statue in the desert?
-
What is the significance of the inscription on the pedestal of the statue?
-
How does the poem explore the theme of human hubris?
-
What is the irony in Ozymandias's boastful declaration on the pedestal?
-
How does Shelley convey the idea of impermanence in the poem?
-
Discuss the role of nature in "Ozymandias" and its relationship to human achievements.
-
What emotions or attitudes does the "shattered visage" of Ozymandias convey to the reader?
-
How does the poem reflect Shelley's views on power and authority?
-
What do you think Shelley is suggesting about the cyclical nature of history and civilization?
-
In what ways does "Ozymandias" remain relevant to contemporary society?
Answers
1. How does Shelley use imagery to depict the ruins of Ozymandias's statue in the desert?
Shelley employs vivid imagery to paint a picture of the decaying monument in the desert. He describes "two vast and trunkless legs of stone" standing alone, symbolizing the remnants of the once-majestic statue. The image of the "shattered visage" lying in the sand evokes a sense of desolation and decay, while the "sneer of cold command" suggests the arrogance and tyranny of the king it represents. Through these striking images, Shelley conveys the idea of the passage of time and the inevitable decline of human achievements.
2. What is the significance of the inscription on the pedestal of the statue?
The inscription on the pedestal reads, "My name is Ozymandias, king of kings: / Look upon my works, ye Mighty, and despair!" This boastful declaration serves as a stark reminder of Ozymandias's hubris and delusions of grandeur. Despite his claims of greatness and invincibility, all that remains of his once-powerful kingdom is a crumbling ruin in the desert. The inscription highlights the theme of human folly and the transient nature of power and authority.
3. How does the poem explore the theme of human hubris?
"Ozymandias" explores the theme of human hubris by depicting the downfall of a mighty ruler who believed himself to be invincible. Ozymandias's boastful inscription on the pedestal reflects his arrogance and overestimation of his own power. However, the irony lies in the fact that his once-great empire has crumbled into dust, and his name has become synonymous with folly and insignificance. Through this portrayal, Shelley warns against the dangers of unchecked pride and ambition.
4. What is the irony in Ozymandias's boastful declaration on the pedestal?
The irony in Ozymandias's declaration lies in the stark contrast between his grandiose claims of greatness and the desolate reality of his ruined kingdom. While he proclaims himself as "king of kings" and challenges others to admire his works, the surrounding landscape tells a different story of decay and oblivion. The very act of boasting about his power serves only to underscore its ultimate insignificance in the face of time and nature.
5. How does Shelley convey the idea of impermanence in the poem?
Shelley conveys the idea of impermanence through the depiction of the ruined statue of Ozymandias and the desolate desert landscape that surrounds it. The crumbling remains of the once-majestic monument serve as a powerful symbol of the transience of human achievements. Despite Ozymandias's efforts to immortalize himself through his works, they have ultimately been reduced to nothing but dust and rubble. Through this portrayal, Shelley highlights the ephemeral nature of power, glory, and civilization itself.
6. Discuss the role of nature in "Ozymandias" and its relationship to human achievements.
Nature plays a significant role in "Ozymandias" as it serves as both a backdrop and a counterpoint to human achievements. The desert landscape, with its "lone and level sands stretch[ing] far away," serves as a stark contrast to the grandeur and ambition of Ozymandias's kingdom. It symbolizes the vastness and timelessness of the natural world, highlighting the insignificance of human endeavours in the face of nature's relentless march. Moreover, nature's power to reclaim and obliterate human creations underscores the poem's theme of impermanence and the futility of trying to defy or conquer the forces of nature.
7. What emotions or attitudes does the "shattered visage" of Ozymandias convey to the reader?
The "shattered visage" of Ozymandias conveys a sense of desolation, decay, and ultimately, the folly of human ambition. The image of the king's face, broken and half-buried in the sand, evokes a feeling of sadness and loss, as well as a sense of the inevitable decline of all things. The "sneer of cold command" on his face suggests arrogance and tyranny, serving as a reminder of the dangers of unchecked power and hubris. Overall, the shattered visage serves as a potent symbol of the transient nature of human existence and the ultimate futility of earthly pursuits.
8. How does the poem reflect Shelley's views on power and authority?
"Ozymandias" reflects Shelley's sceptical views on power and authority, particularly those wielded by tyrannical rulers. Through the depiction of Ozymandias's ruined kingdom and his boastful inscription, Shelley highlights the dangers of unchecked pride and ambition. He suggests that power, when wielded without humility and compassion, inevitably leads to downfall and oblivion. Moreover, the poem underscores Shelley's belief in the inherent dignity and equality of all individuals, regardless of their status or position in society.
9. What do you think Shelley is suggesting about the cyclical nature of history and civilization?
Shelley suggests that history and civilization are cyclical in nature, characterized by a constant cycle of rise and fall. The ruins of Ozymandias's kingdom serve as a reminder that no empire, no matter how powerful, is immune to the forces of time and change. Moreover, the poem implies that the same mistakes and follies that led to the downfall of past civilizations are likely to be repeated in the future. By highlighting this cyclical pattern, Shelley encourages readers to reflect on the lessons of history and strive for a more enlightened and compassionate society.
10. In what ways does "Ozymandias" remain relevant to contemporary society?
"Ozymandias" remains relevant to contemporary society as it speaks to universal themes such as the fragility of power, the dangers of unchecked ambition, and the transient nature of human existence. In an age marked by political turmoil, environmental degradation, and societal unrest, the poem serves as a powerful reminder of the folly of placing too much faith in earthly achievements. Moreover, its timeless message about the importance of humility, compassion, and respect for the natural world continues to resonate with readers across generations.