Gothic Poems to Love & Liberty
A hauntingly beautiful collection of poetry that explores love, freedom, and the shadows of the soul.
A hauntingly beautiful collection of poetry that explores love, freedom, and the shadows of the soul.
"Ozymandias," written by the renowned 19th-century British poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, was first published in 1818 in *The Examiner of London* under the pen name "Gilrastes." In this sonnet, the speaker recounts a meeting with a traveler from an ancient land. The traveler describes the ruins of a massive statue of a great pharaoh, highlighting not only the shattered remains scattered across the sand but also the desolate surroundings. The combination of the vast desert and the decaying statue underscores the poem’s central theme: the futility of human endeavors. It also explores themes of the transient nature of power, fate, and the inevitable downfall of rulers.
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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.”
The poem's speaker encounters a traveller from an ancient land who describes the remains of a colossal statue in the desert. The statue consists of two large stone legs without a connecting torso, and nearby lies the fragmented face with a scornful expression—capturing the emotions of the subject in enduring stone. The sculptor skillfully recreated the subject's feelings, almost mocking the subject's cruelty in the process. The pedestal bears an inscription proclaiming the might of Ozymandias, the King of Kings, boasting of his accomplishments and challenging powerful onlookers to despair at his superiority. The surroundings reveal an endless barren desert, emphasizing the transience of grandeur.
'Ozymandias' by P. B. Shelley is a poem that explores the theme of the fleeting nature of power and human achievements. The poem tells the story of a traveler who recounts his discovery of a decaying statue of a once-powerful ruler. Through this, Shelley reflects on the inevitable decline of all things, no matter how grand they once were.
The poem begins with the speaker recounting a story told by a traveler from an "antique land." This introduction immediately sets a sense of ancient history and mystery.
In the traveler’s story, he describes seeing a large statue that was once of the great Egyptian king, Ramses II, also known as Ozymandias. This statue, which now lies broken and half-buried in the desert, was once a symbol of the king’s power and authority.
Despite Ozymandias’s former greatness, the statue’s ruin and its placement in the vast desert symbolize the transience of human achievement. The traveler reveals that, aside from the statue, nothing remains of the ruler’s empire. The land around the statue is barren, and all that is left of the mighty ruler is his faded image in stone.
The main theme of the poem is the inevitable decay of all human achievements. Shelley contrasts the king's boastful words with the ruined state of the statue. Through this contrast, he underscores the idea that no matter how powerful or influential a person is, time will eventually erode their legacy.
In the end, 'Ozymandias' serves as a meditation on the impermanence of life and the futility of human pride. The statue, which once symbolized a ruler’s glory, now lies broken and forgotten, a powerful reminder that all things are subject to the passage of time.
'Ozymandias' carries an extended metaphor throughout the poem, exploring the inevitable decline of power and the impermanence of human achievement. The poem contrasts the once-great empire of Ozymandias with the desolate, barren desert that surrounds the statue of the ruler. Shelley uses this metaphor to convey the message that no empire, no matter how powerful or influential, can last forever.
In the poem, the desert is a central symbol. It represents the decline and eventual fall of all empires, civilizations, and human accomplishments. The desert is barren, vast, and timeless, serving as a stark contrast to the once-glorious empire of Ozymandias. The lack of growth or life in the desert emphasizes the decay of power over time.
The statue of Ozymandias stands as a testament to the ruler’s past greatness, yet it is now broken and half-buried in the sand. The inscription on the pedestal, boasting of the ruler’s power and dominion, is an ironic reminder of his hubris. The statue, once a symbol of authority and strength, now serves as a symbol of the fleeting nature of power.
By referencing Ramses II, one of Egypt's most powerful pharaohs, Shelley uses an allusion to show that even the mightiest rulers are not exempt from the forces of time and nature. Ramses II was known for his military conquests and monumental achievements, yet his empire, like all others, eventually crumbled.
Overall, the poem illustrates the concept that power is transient, and even the greatest empires will eventually fade into obscurity. Shelley uses the desert, the statue, and the allusion to Ozymandias to remind readers that human pride and ambition can never overcome the forces of time and nature.
'Ozymandias' is a Petrarchan sonnet, but it deviates from the traditional structure in certain aspects, making it unique and memorable. The poem follows the sonnet's fourteen-line format, and it is written in iambic pentameter, a metrical pattern common to sonnets. However, the rhyme scheme and structure differ slightly from the standard Petrarchan sonnet, adding to its distinctiveness.
The rhyme scheme of 'Ozymandias' is ABABACDC EDEFEF, which is slightly different from the traditional Petrarchan sonnet structure. A typical Petrarchan sonnet follows the rhyme scheme ABBAABBA in the first eight lines (the octave), and the final six lines (the sestet) can vary, but they often follow a CDCDCD or CDECDE pattern. Shelley’s choice to alter the rhyme scheme creates a sense of innovation and defiance, aligning with the theme of the poem.
By defying the traditional Petrarchan sonnet form, Shelley may have been symbolically representing the corruption of authority and the breakdown of traditional structures, much like the fall of the mighty empire of Ozymandias. The deviation in form mirrors the destruction of power, as the once-great empire is now reduced to ruins. The altered rhyme scheme serves as a subtle reflection of the poem's themes of decay, impermanence, and the transient nature of authority.
While 'Ozymandias' follows the general structure of a sonnet, its deviation from the traditional rhyme scheme and its use of iambic pentameter make it stand out. The form and meter contribute to the overall effect of the poem, emphasizing the themes of decay, impermanence, and the inevitable decline of even the most powerful rulers.
In 'Ozymandias,' Shelley employs a variety of figurative devices to enhance the emotional and intellectual impact of the poem. These devices help convey the themes of decay, impermanence, and the futility of human pride, making the poem more engaging and thought-provoking. Below are some key literary devices used in the poem:
By using these literary devices, Shelley enhances the emotional and intellectual depth of 'Ozymandias.' The devices not only contribute to the poem's aesthetic appeal but also deepen the thematic exploration of the fleeting nature of power, the arrogance of rulers, and the inevitable decline of even the most mighty empires.
Percy Bysshe Shelley’s "Ozymandias" is not merely a poem about an ancient Egyptian ruler; it can also be seen as a sharp commentary on the political landscape of Shelley’s own time. Known for his political activism and critiques of power, Shelley subtly warns the leaders of England that their ambition and authority, much like that of Ozymandias, are destined to crumble with time. The poem reflects Shelley’s belief in the inevitable decline of all rulers and empires, urging them to reconsider their arrogance and the eventual futility of their pursuit of glory.
The origins of "Ozymandias" are tied to a literary challenge between two poets. In 1817, while at Shelley’s house for Christmas, Shelley and fellow poet Horace Smith decided to challenge each other to write a sonnet based on a passage from Diodorus Siculus’s *Bibliotheca Historica*. The passage reads:
King of Kings Ozymandias am I. If any want to know how great I am and where I lie, let him outdo me in my work.
This inscription, attributed to the ancient ruler Ozymandias (Ramses II), served as the inspiration for the challenge. Shelley’s version, in which the traveler recounts his encounter with the ruins of Ozymandias’s statue in the desert, embodies the hubris of the king and the passage of time. The poem was first published in *The Examiner* on January 11, 1818, and it immediately struck readers for its vivid imagery and philosophical depth.
Though the poem is often read as a simple tale of ancient ruins, it can also be interpreted as a critique of the British Empire and its rulers. In the early 19th century, England was at the height of its imperial power, but Shelley, a passionate political critic, might have seen the eventual collapse of such power as inevitable. By drawing parallels between Ozymandias’s downfall and the transient nature of political power, Shelley subtly critiques the pride and overreach of contemporary rulers.
It is worth noting that Horace Smith, who was also part of the poetic challenge, wrote his own version of the sonnet, titled *"Ozymandias"*. While Smith’s version shares some similarities with Shelley’s, such as the use of the inscription and the theme of the fleeting nature of power, Shelley’s work is considered more powerful and enduring. Shelley’s use of vivid imagery, irony, and the juxtaposition of the fallen empire with the eternal desert creates a more poignant and universal message about the futility of human ambition.
In summary, "Ozymandias" is not only a timeless meditation on the collapse of great powers but also a product of Shelley’s sharp political insight. His experience with literary challenges and his desire to critique the power structures of his time contributed to the depth and lasting significance of this remarkable poem.
Shelley's poem draws inspiration from various sources, including the description of the statue by the ancient Greek historian Diodorus Siculus. Diodorus Siculus' account and Shelley's paraphrasing suggest a classical influence. Travel books like Pococke’s Description of the East (1743) and Savary’s Letters on Egypt (1787) also provided insights into Ozymandias.
Notably, Walter Coulson, an editor of 'The Traveller,' visited the Shelleys in 1817. It remains uncertain whether Coulson brought news of Belzoni's discoveries or if he was the inspiration for 'the traveller' in Shelley's poem. The blending of various sources in Shelley's imagination adds intrigue to the poem's creation.
The opening line of ‘Ozymandias’ reads:
I met a traveller from an antique land,
This line sets the stage for the entire poem and introduces the speaker, who is telling the story from his perspective. The use of the pronoun "I" indicates that the speaker is recounting an event, creating a personal connection with the reader. Here's a closer breakdown of this line:
This opening line establishes the traveler as someone with knowledge of an ancient, long-gone civilization, setting the tone for a poem about the impermanence of power and the inevitable decay of empires.
Lines two through four are a continuation of the traveler’s vivid description of the statue he encountered in Egypt. The lines read:
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,
These lines are much clearer than the first and provide more concrete imagery of the scene. The lines are part of the dialogue the traveler shares with the poet's persona. The description is powerful, setting the stage for the traveler’s account of the fall of a once mighty ruler.
In these lines, Shelley uses vivid imagery to introduce the decay of the statue and, by extension, the fleeting nature of human achievement. The contrast between the once-powerful ruler's frown and the present desolation of his statue underlines the poem's central theme: the inevitable decline of all earthly power.
Lines five through eight continue the traveler’s reflection on the statue, shifting the focus from the pharaoh himself to the sculptor who created the image:
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;
These lines reveal deeper insights into the nature of the ruler and the sculptor’s skill in capturing his personality.
In these lines, Shelley presents a deeper exploration of Ozymandias's character through the traveler’s reflection on the sculptor’s portrayal. The artist's ability to immortalize the ruler’s contradictory nature in stone highlights the enduring power of art, while the ruler’s duality of compassion and cruelty emphasizes the complexity of leadership. This contrast between temporal power and artistic immortality forms a key theme in the poem.
Lines nine through fourteen shift the focus to the inscription on the pedestal of the statue, and the contrast between the ruler’s boastful words and the desolate state of his empire:
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.”
These final lines introduce a dramatic shift from the image of the statue itself to the irony of Ozymandias's boast, which stands in stark contrast to the ruin surrounding it.
The final lines of the poem deliver a poignant message about the fleeting nature of power and human achievement. The stark contrast between Ozymandias’s boastful words and the empty, desolate landscape serves as a reminder that no empire, no matter how grand, can withstand the ravages of time. This theme of impermanence is what makes the poem a timeless meditation on human ambition and the inevitable decline of all things.
In "Ozymandias," Shelley explores several powerful themes that contribute to the lasting impact of the poem. These themes reflect on the fragility of human achievement and the inevitable decline of all things. Here are the key themes:
Overall, Shelley uses "Ozymandias" to explore themes of impermanence, hubris, and the lasting power of art. The poem serves as a timeless reminder that all human endeavors, no matter how grand, are ultimately subject to decay and oblivion. In contrast, the power of art endures, preserving the memory of what once was.
The tone of Shelley’s "Ozymandias" shifts throughout the poem, adding depth and emotional complexity to the message conveyed. The overall tone is serious and awe-inspiring, inviting readers to reflect on the transient nature of power and glory. Below is an analysis of the evolving tone:
In conclusion, Shelley’s manipulation of tone in "Ozymandias" effectively underscores the themes of impermanence and the folly of human ambition. The transition from awe to fear, followed by sympathy and reflection, guides readers through the emotional journey of recognizing the futility of seeking immortality through power.
'Ozymandias' is a 14-line sonnet composed in 1817 by Percy Bysshe Shelley, a British Romantic poet known for his association with radical social and political change.
Shelley led a tumultuous, nomadic life, marked by his dedication to producing poetry and pamphlets. His marriage to Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin, daughter of philosopher William Godwin, and his European escapades, including time with Lord Byron, are noteworthy episodes.
Tragically, Shelley's life was cut short at 29 when his boat sank in a storm in the Gulf of Spezia, Italy. Despite being mourned by close friends, his radical views left him unsupported in England, where he was perceived as an agitator due to his atheism, pacifism, and vegetarianism.
Shelley's diverse poetry, ranging from nature-focused pieces like 'To a Skylark' and 'The Flower That Smiles Today' to political works like 'England' (1819), continues to endure.
'Ozymandias' is inherently political, crafted during the decline of Napoleon's rule and the ascendancy of the British Empire. The poem metaphorically conveys the inevitable downfall of tyrannical power, emphasizing that no leader, be it king or despot, can withstand the relentless passage of time. The sonnet paints a vivid portrayal of an egotistical ruler who, despite considering himself unrivaled, was harsh and cruel to his subjects.
Percy Bysshe Shelley was one of the most influential poets of the Romantic era, but ironically, he did not gain widespread recognition during his lifetime. Despite this, he was part of an impressive literary circle, forming close friendships with other notable poets like George Gordon Lord Byron and John Keats. Shelley was also married to Mary Shelley, the author of the iconic novel Frankenstein. Some of his best-known poems include Ozymandias, To a Skylark, and Ode to the West Wind, with the latter being considered one of his most famous and praised works.
Born into an affluent family, Shelley was granted access to a privileged education. He attended Oxford University, where his literary career began to take shape. However, Shelley’s time at Oxford was short-lived, as he was expelled for refusing to confess that he was the author of an anonymous pamphlet titled The Necessity of Atheism. His refusal to back down on his beliefs marked the beginning of his tendency to challenge societal norms.
In addition to his academic defiance, Shelley’s personal life was equally unconventional. He met and fell in love with Mary Godwin, who would later become his wife. This was despite the fact that Shelley was already married to another woman. His decision to abandon his first wife to be with Mary was controversial, especially since it occurred after his first wife tragically committed suicide. Shelley and Mary later married, and she took on the surname Mary Shelley after their union.
Despite his early death, Shelley’s impact on literature endured. His works, such as Ozymandias, To a Skylark, and Ode to the West Wind, explore profound themes including the nature of power, the beauty of nature, and the fleeting nature of human life. His ability to express these ideas with lyrical grace has left a lasting legacy in the world of poetry.
Much of Shelley’s work is centered on the following themes:
For those interested in learning more about Shelley’s work, here are some other notable poems worth exploring:
Though Shelley died at a young age, his influence on literature continues to endure. His poems not only showcase his mastery of language but also his ability to tackle complex philosophical and political ideas. His legacy lives on in the works that continue to inspire and provoke thought, cementing his place as one of the greatest poets in English literary history.
Readers who enjoyed Ozymandias by Percy Bysshe Shelley may find the following poems equally compelling, as they explore similar themes such as pride, the fleeting nature of life, and human vanity:
These poems, while diverse in their style and approach, share common threads with Shelley's Ozymandias, offering readers deeper reflections on the transient nature of human glory and the inevitable decline of all things.
In 1817, the British Museum announced that they had acquired a statue of Ramesses II, an Ancient Egyptian ruler. Shelley was inspired by the fact and started writing this poem in the same year. In the Christmas of 1817, Horace Smith and Shelley chose a passage from the writing of the Greek historian Diodorus Siculus. The passage described a similar statue and quoted the inscription: “King of Kings Ozymandias am I.” Shelley wrote this poem inspired by this description of the statue of Ozymandias from Diodorus.
Ramesses II or Ramesses the Great, is known as Ozymandias in Greek historical sources. He was the third pharaoh of the 19th Dynasty of Egypt and is often regarded as the mightiest, most celebrated, and greatest pharaoh of Ancient Egypt.
The English Romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley wrote the sonnet, ‘Ozymandias’, with it being first published in The Examiner on 11 January 1818.
‘Ozymandias,’ the title of Shelley’s one of the best-known sonnets refers to the Ancient Egyptian pharaoh, Ramesses II. Through this poem, Shelley throws light on the nature of power and impermanence of regnal glory, by referring to a fragment of a statue of Ramesses II or Ozymandias.
The central theme of the poem is the transience of glory, as well as power. It also taps on the themes of the futility of life, the fate of history, ravages of time, antiquity, and impermanence. The main theme is introduced in the very beginning where Shelley’s speaker describes the “colossal Wreck” of Ozymandias half sunk in the lone desert.
Ozymandias is the Greek name of a pharaoh from Ancient Egypt. He is Ramesses II or Ramesses the Great. The name Ozymandias comes from the first part of the regnal name of Ramesses, “Usermaatre Setepenre”. Shelley’s sonnet refers to a half-destroyed statue of this pharaoh.
‘Ozymandias’ is about the nature of power. Shelley describes how powerful men and their legacies are destined to fade into oblivion. It is an important piece that features how a great ruler like Ozymandias and his legacy was buried in the pages of history.
Through ‘Ozymandias,’ Shelley tries to give an important message. He wants to say no matter how much rulers try, their deeds are going to be forgotten after death. In this way, the poet warns readers not to be infatuated with power. Power does not guarantee eternal glory, only meekness does.
The irony of this sonnet lies in the last few lines. After reading the lines, “My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings;/ Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!” readers can understand the nature of the speaker. He is a haughty ruler who, under the impression of being the most powerful, dares to challenge the Almighty. What has happened to him? The next lines ironically express it better. According to Shelley’s speaker, “Nothing beside remains.” With just three ironic words, Shelley destroys his self-conceit.
The poem begins with a metaphor. Shelley uses the metaphor of a “traveller” for pointing at the Greek historian Diodorus. Besides, the title is a metaphor. It refers to a fragment of Ozymandias’s statue. Furthermore, a metaphor, “colossal Wreck” is used as a reference to Ozymandias.