Ozymandias

• Context

  • Shelly wrote Ozymandias during a period of political upheaval in Europe, reflecting his views on the impermanence of power.
  • Poem is part of the romantic movement, which emphasised emotion, nature and the critique of industrialisation and political authority.
• Ozymandias' Intentions

  • Eternal Legacy → Ozymandias intended for the statue to immortalise his power and greatness, ensuring his legacy will endure through the ages.
  • Intimidation & Awe → The inscription on the pedestal, "Look on my work, ye Mighty, and despair!" was meant to intimidate other rulers and showcase the vastness of his empire.
  • Symbol of Power → The grandiose stature was a symbol of his absolute authority and dominance over his subjects and rivals.
• "Nothing beside remains."

  • The desolate landscape emphasises the insignificance of human achievements in the face of time and nature.
• "Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!"

  Ironic as the "works" have crumbled & disappeared leaving nothing but ruins
• "wrinkled lip"

  A wrinkled lip conjures the image of someone grimacing in disgust and contempt, thus displaying the king’s disregard for his subjects, viewing them as inferior and below him. This antipathy is then paired with immense power which enables him to exploit and torture the people he rules with no empathy or remorse. Shelley can use this to show the danger of a single individual having unlimited power invested in them, as it enables them to see all other people as inferior and thus derive an ability to oppress them.
• What is the theme of power in Ozymandias?

  The theme of power is presented as transient and ultimately futile. The ruined statue of the ancient ruler Ozymandias serves as a metaphor for the transience of power and the futility of human efforts to establish lasting power.