Ramesses II, Pharaoh of the Nineteenth Dynasty of ancient Egypt also called Ozymandias, was powerful and feared by his specialist. Driven by his boastful ways his wants were always at reach. His hostility was enough for his kingdom to be torn asunder; such is the situation in Percy Shelley's "Ozymandias". In it we find the substance of who Ozymandias was previously and what had become of him. Not merely will the poem notify a compelling story, but it also has a piercing moral. Shelley's strong use of imagery and ironic sentences give the reader the idea that nothing is written in natural stone. One could be king one day and the next he could be but mere flesh and bones. Nothing at all continues; all is impermanent let alone power.
Shelley writes his poem as a tale being told to the presenter by an unfamiliar traveler. Starting with "I found a traveler from an antique land" the ambient models ft. and we get started to assume history before (Shelly 1). There's a sense of anticipation in curious about the "land" Shelley speaks of as well as the personal information of the traveler (1). The "antique land" part makes the land seem to be old and not much but recollections of days gone by; perhaps the traveler is old too (1; Bitterman). Setting the line period of time after "land" is a superb way to help make the reader stop also to construct a record scene before moving on (1). As we continue reading Shelley uses his powerful imagery to evoke the greatness of the ruler. "Two huge and trunkless legs of natural stone / Stand in the desert. . . Near them, on the fine sand, 1 / 2 sunk a shattered visage is placed" (2-3). The "trunkless legs" participate in the statue of Ozymandias. Utilizing the phrase "vast" we can concur that this statue was mammoth, hence the power of the king. There is a lttle bit of irony brought forward after, since beside the legs is the head of the statue. Such enormous sized monument did not withstand time, dynamics, and civilization. The small pause by the end of "desert" is employed in such way that it creates a sense of distance which is what Shelley wishes to signify the desert being; distant (2). The top of the statue also experienced a solid vibe "whose frown, / And wrinkled lip, and sneer of wintry command, / Share that its sculptor well those passions read" (4-6). It really is clear that Ozymandias did not hide his thoughts; even the sculptor was able to engrave his essence in rock. The reader now sees the first choice that is represented to be always a heartless, brutal person, but person who still experienced remorse for his people as the poem also states: "The hands that mocked them and the center that fed:" (8). Ozymandias still got some kind compassion for his people. His heart is spoken of this way so we remind ourselves as viewers that as powerful as he was, he was still individual thus his legacy was temporary.
The poem's firmness is one of unknown and enjoyment at statue of the ruler. The firmness is balanced by the fact of solitude felt in the description of the clear sands. Inscribed in the monument will be the words of the king; it reads: "'My name is Ozymandias, ruler of kings: / Look on my works, ye Mighy, and despair!'" (10-11). This more than anything shows how arrogant and envious Ozymandias is really. In regard to that people are advised that "Nothing beside remains" (12). Irony is the key here, and Shelly uses it to establish his point. When reading we recreate the imagery of the desolate desert and the emptiness it resembles. There is nothing left of the ruler but a monument that is broken in the center of nowhere. The marks in the statue are symbolic of man's satisfaction, in which anything that is made is performed with the intent to last forever. "Of this colossal wreck, boundless and bare / The lone and level sands stretch out a long way away. " (13-14). The term "colossal" is utilized as a reminder of how big is the statue as well as how big is the power Ozymandias once acquired. However, as powerful as he came to be he is now restrained and susceptible just like the leftovers of his topics. Shelley uses aesthetic imagery and its effect to convey this is of the poem because discovering the image of the desolate desert is the ultimate way to stand for the solitude Ozymandias stands in. The past range can be interpreted in different ways nonetheless they all support the main theme. In the last collection "level sands" can be used to represent the level and state most people are in, so now the ruler reaches level with the others of his people (14; Lucas). The "level sands" can also imply that the sand will stay unchanged despite the changes in authority (14). Utilizing a metaphor, Shelley provides perspective of what happens when someone abusive that is command line gets overthrown. Every technology will have a ruler and once his period is over there will always be someone else for taking his place. People will still send to their specialist without change. It is true that ability is ephemeral in a person, but ability used on an individual can last an eternity.
One of key factors for the main notion of the poem is the role of the fine sand or desert. Time is exactly what keeps going and can never be stopped. Not only are the feeble attempts to overcome character and time always are unsuccessful, but everything we do is consumed by the sands of time in the situation of Ozymandias we can say the desert is time and gradually it will ingest the statue. Perhaps a monument of Ozymandias was built to have an impact in future decades; he wanted to be remembered permanently. Even then time persists and it takes everything.
The form of the poem is exclusive as it is a sonnet and it employs a distinct rhyme design of ABABACDCEDEFEF. Furthermore the form, using its iambic pentameter, contributes to the entire theme of the poem because it has its blemishes. In the same way imperfect Shelley's poem was, so was Ozymandias. Shelley writes the poem in a mocking way as there is a bit of sarcasm when the inscription is read. Just how he sets the words gives off a robust sound and in return you get the feeling of the energy Ozymandias acquired. "'My name is Ozymandias, king of kings: / Look on my works, ye Mighy, and despair!'" (10-11). The "k" noises in "King" and "Kings" put more focus on what is being read. In the term "Works" we get the "k" audio again and it strengthens each image of his vitality. In addition in the beginning of the poem there's a train of "s" noises that are contrasted by the "k" does sound we see here and throughout the poem. Gleam central paradox to the whole poem that claims that power is inadequate since in the long run you will eventually lose it with death, yet somehow if you have electric power it could be proved worthwhile. In general you can say that everything we do is meaningless because in the end we will expire. Possibly the sculptor is mocking the ruler as he's sculpting understanding that soon the king's day will come. This same analogy can be employed to Shelley and his poem. He's mocking his sonnet by using imperfect varieties. We are able to expect problems from an amateur poet however, not from Shelley's caliber. It is also important to take into consideration that this poem was written in a time of crisis. Shelley's first better half drowned herself and he was disputing the guardianship of his children. All of the stress and pain leads me to believe Shelley published this poem as a lash out to mankind to simply declare that nothing lasts forever.
Power cannot buy the a very important factor everyone wants; immortality. Ozymandias discovered that the best he could do was to have monuments manufactured from him to provide as evidence of his presence. Although his statues are damaged they still lay in the desert and are appreciated but mocked naturally and its own inhabitants. You can say that being mortal was a curse to Ozymandias. Understanding that death was unavoidable he made irresponsible actions thinking everything had the same general outcome in the long run; death. The mark of the statue more than anything conveys a message of defeat rather than admiration and triumph which was the king's goal to begin with. Cruelty will always be bestowed upon every generation. The traveler was right; if such feelings can be sculpted in "lifeless things" and last for years what prevents it from happening to a civilization (7).
