Ozymandias

• Of that colossal wreck'

  The ruined statue shows how human achievements are insignificant compared to the passing of time. The oxymoron here is used to emphasise that his work did not last and show the scale of destruction. Nothing is left and even if it is in a million pieces and a symbol of the consequences of power not his success.
• Look on my Works, ye mighty and despair!' - Volta


  These are the words of Ozymandias who would hope that when people see this statue around the amazing city that he built they would be in awe of his power but ironically it shows how nothing is left of his power and that human power doesn't last. Secondly 'My works' refer the artwork/artist, even though it was made to be a celebration of Ozymandias, the actual words suggest that the artist should be celebrated meaning Ozymandias should be in 'despair'.
• I met a traveller from an antique land'


  The poet distances himself from the statue b hearing about it second hand rather than by himself. The idea of an 'ancient land' suggests it is long forgotten. The poem is believed to be about a dictatorship and the idea that a thirst for power and ruling dates back in history and can be compared to modern day Britain where we have and government and in the end they will just be reduced to history books. From a distant land undermines the great king.
• The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed;'

  There are two interpretations to be taken from this; Ozymandias is powerful and superior to his citizens. Also it could be seen from the perspective of the sculptor as he outlived Ozymandias' power. The hand is the hand of the sculptor and the idea of 'mocked' could mean replicated so well that he is able to bring out Ozymandias' true qualities to the people and the 'heart that fed' is the sculptor who has been able to give the citizens the truth and turn the horrible artworks of Ozymandias into artwork and allows for the news to be able to spread. i.e the 'traveller
• And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command'


  The verb 'wrinkled' suggests that the power of Ozymandias' was already fading, even though the statue was made to be during the peak of his ruling, he was already losing power and beginning to slip away. This idea is important as it shows that humans shouldn't cling on to power, just like like Napoleon who was a dictator in 1810 he seemed invincible and conquered Europe but in 1812 became defeated, it was believed that this poem was based loosely on Napoleon. The verb 'sneer' conveys ideas that rulers have no contempt or sympathy and another political reference to suggest that they have no interest to help the ordinary citizens. This idea is then emphasised by the alliteration of the hard 'c' sound to show how emotionless the ruler is. The noun 'command' suggests an army leader without emotion such as Napoleon.
• Form and structure

  The poem is written in sonnet form to show Ozymandias' love for power. The sonnet represents that it is transitional to show that the power will crumble. The change from the Petrarch to Shakespearean sonnet to a new sonnet to show power is transitional and ever changing.
• Context


  The french revolution has a big impact as people believed power should be for the majority rather than the minority. Shelly believed poems should capture emotions and feelings not just facts. He also didn't like that poorer classes were put down by empires and royalty.
• Themes

  Power of humans

  Power of Nature

  Negative emotions - Pride
• Ozymandias


  Written by Percy Bysshe Shelley in 1817.