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 Ozymandias

The poem tells the story of a traveler from an ancient civilization who comes across a pair of vast, ruined stone legs in the desert. Near the legs lies a shattered face with a scornful expression, indicating the greatness and power of the sculptor who created it. The traveler also describes a pedestal that bears an inscription, which reads: "My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings; Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!"

However, despite the grandeur and arrogance depicted in the statue, the poem reveals that nothing remains of Ozymandias' empire. The surrounding landscape is described as a stretch of "boundless and bare" lone and level sands. This serves as a reminder of the fleeting nature of power and fame, as even the great works of mighty rulers eventually crumble and are forgotten.

Shelley's poem presents a theme of the inevitable downfall of empires and an exploration of the transience of human achievements in the face of time. It prompts readers to reflect on the impermanence of worldly power and the ultimate futility of a quest for immortality through earthly accomplishments.

Background

The poem "Ozymandias" was written during the Romantic period in literature, which spanned from the late 18th to the early 19th century. This was a time of great political, social, and cultural change in Europe, marked by the French Revolution, the Napoleonic Wars, and the beginnings of the Industrial Revolution.

The Romantic period was characterized by a focus on emotion and individualism, a glorification of the past and of nature, and a rejection of industrialization and urbanization. These themes are evident in "Ozymandias", which meditates on the transience of human power and achievements, and the enduring power of nature and time.

Understanding the historical context of the Romantic period can provide valuable insights into the themes and stylistic choices in "Ozymandias". For example, the poem's focus on the ruins of a once-great civilization can be seen as a reflection of the Romantic fascination with the past and the sublime power of nature. Similarly, the poem's critique of the arrogance of power can be linked to the Romantic period's emphasis on individualism and its critique of societal structures.

Time Period of "Ozymandias"

The poem "Ozymandias" was written in the early 19th century, most likely in England.

Importance of the Time Period

Understanding the time period in which "Ozymandias" was written is important for several reasons:

Historical Context: The poem was written during a time when Napoleon had recently fallen from power and was living in exile after years of ruling and invading much of Europe. This historical event may have influenced the poem's themes, which meditate on the fleeting nature of power and the importance of humility.

Literary Context: The 19th century was a period of significant literary movements, including Romanticism, of which Percy Bysshe Shelley, the author of "Ozymandias", was a key figure. Understanding this context can provide insights into the themes and stylistic choices in the poem.

Cultural Context: The poem reflects on the impermanence of power and the inevitable decline of all rulers and political regimes. This theme may have resonated particularly in the early 19th century, a time of political upheaval and change.

Knowing the time period of "Ozymandias" is crucial to fully understanding the poem's themes, its historical and cultural context, and the motivations of its author.

Literary Devices

1. Sonnet: A sonnet is a fourteen-line poem written in iambic pentameter, which employ one of several rhyme schemes and adhere to a tightly structured thematic organization. The sonnet originated in Italy and the word comes from the Italian word "sonetto," which means "little song". An example is Shakespeare's Sonnet 18, "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?"

2. Setting: The setting of a piece of literature is the time and place in which the story takes place. The setting can create the mood and tone of the characters and the story. For example, the setting of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s "The Great Gatsby" is New York in the 1920s, during the prohibition era.

3. Inspiration: In literature, inspiration refers to the process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative. For instance, J.K. Rowling was inspired by her own life experiences and childhood dreams to write the "Harry Potter" series.

4. Imagery: Imagery involves using descriptive language to create visual representations of actions, objects, and ideas in our mind in such a way that they appeal to our physical senses. For example, in "The Old Man and the Sea" by Ernest Hemingway, the old man’s description of the sea: "He looked across the sea and knew how alone he was now. But he could see the prisms in the deep dark water and the line stretching ahead and the strange undulation of the calm."

5. Symbolism: Symbolism is a literary device that uses symbols, be they words, people, marks, locations, or abstract ideas to represent something beyond the literal meaning. For instance, in Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter," the letter 'A' symbolizes adultery.

6. Themes: Themes are the fundamental and often universal ideas explored in a literary work. They provide a deeper meaning to the story beyond what is visible to the naked eye. For example, one of the themes in Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird" is the moral nature of human beings—that is, whether people are essentially good or essentially evil.

7. Irony: Irony is a literary device in which what appears, on the surface, to be the case, differs radically from what is actually the case. Irony can often be humorous, but it also has a deep unspoken understanding. An example is in O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi," where a young couple sells their most precious belongings to buy gifts for each other, only to find out that the gifts are useless without what they sold.

The Author

Ozymandias is a poem written by Percy Bysshe Shelley in 1818. It explores the theme of the transience of human power and the decline of empires. Here are some key points:

1. Percy Bysshe Shelley: He was an English Romantic poet known for his rebellious views.

2. Sonnet: Ozymandias is written as a sonnet, a fourteen-line poem with a specific structure (ABABACDCEDFEFE).

3. Setting and Inspiration: The poem is set in an ancient desert where the speaker encounters the ruins of a statue of the Egyptian pharaoh Ramses II (Ozymandias). Shelley was inspired by a statue he saw in the British Museum.

4. Imagery and Symbolism: The poem uses vivid descriptions to show decay and the fleeting nature of human accomplishments. The broken statue represents the transitory nature of power.

5. Themes: Ozymandias explores themes like the fallibility of power, limitations of human achievements, and the passage of time. It warns against pride and ego.

6. Irony: The poem utilizes irony, as Ozymandias boasts about his greatness while his statue lies in ruins. This highlights the futility of hubris.

Literary Figure and Literary Devices in Ozymandias

Percy Bysshe Shelley: Shelley was one of the most respected English Romantic poets of the 19th century. His works, including Ozymandias, were often controversial for their radical political and social themes. Shelley's style is characterized by its lyrical beauty, philosophical depth and rebellious spirit.

Sonnet: A sonnet is a 14-line poetic form that originated in Italy and was later popularized in England by poets like Shakespeare. The precise structure of a sonnet varies, but Shelley's Ozymandias follows a unique scheme (ABABACDCEDFEFE). This pattern creates a rhythmic flow, guiding the reader's experience of the poem.

Setting and Inspiration: The desert setting of Ozymandias is symbolic; it represents the barrenness and emptiness that follows the fall of great empires. Shelley's inspiration from the statue of Ramses II in the British Museum likely influenced this choice of setting. This statue, once a symbol of power and grandeur, was removed from its original context and reduced to a museum piece, echoing the themes of the poem.

Imagery and Symbolism: Shelley uses concrete images, such as the "shattered visage" and "colossal wreck" to symbolize the decay of power and the transience of human achievements. The ruined statue in the poem is an embodiment of the impermanence of human greatness.

Themes: The central themes of Ozymandias include the fleeting nature of power, the inherent limitations of human achievements, and the relentless march of time. The poem serves as a cautionary tale against arrogance and the belief in one's own invincibility.

Irony: Irony is used in Ozymandias to highlight the contrast between human ambition and the reality of time's erosion. Despite Ozymandias' statement "Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!", the only thing left of his empire are ruins. This stark contrast underscores the ultimate futility of human arrogance and the illusion of immortality.

Ozymandias and the Responsibility of Power

"Ozymandias," a sonnet composed by Percy Bysshe Shelley, addresses the issue of power responsibilities indirectly by giving a narrative of the ultimate decline of all kings and the empires they construct, no matter how great they appear.

The poem recounts a ruined statue in the desert that is all that remains of Ozymandias, the once-great ruler. "My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings; Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!" says the inscription atop the pedestal of the statue. However, the statue is surrounded by "lone and level sands" that reach far away. The immense void that surrounds the broken monument serves as a stark reminder of Ozymandias's strength and empire's decline over time.

Shelley may be criticizing the arrogance of rulers who boast of their accomplishments and see their power as absolute through this picture. It implies that the ultimate responsibility of power is to recognize its fleeting nature and the futility of pursuing glory by oppression and spectacular displays. Instead, rulers should perhaps focus on leaving beneficial legacies that will last beyond their lifetimes, knowing that the influence of their acts will be judged by history.

The poem does not provide a direct answer to the subject of power's responsibilities, but rather invites thought on the arrogance that frequently comes with enormous power and the ultimate futility of such arrogance in the face of time and nature. It serves as a warning about the fleeting nature of political power and the significance of humility and foresight for those who hold it.