Ozymandias is one of the better poems written by Shelley, because it is a vivid connection between the power and the weakness of people, and the might of nature.
By being introduced to the wreck and the ruined land first, Shelley gives the reader an opportunity to feel “despair” and hopelessness. The reader is not only able to read, but to see the “two vast trunkless legs of stone” (399, line2) and the “half sunk, shattered visage” lying in the sand. Those passages are a great use of imagery. Though one may have never travelled there, they understand the devastation. But why would the devastation and the “wreck” be an important aspect of the poem? I believe Shelley wants us to understand that our physical work is only a fleeting representation of power and success. We must find other means of showing and defining our greatness, if greatness is even important.
At the point we are formally introduced to Ozymandias, the “…King of Kings:” (399, line 10) we find that it is his likeness that is shattered upon the desert floor and his command for us to “look on” his works and “despair” seems like a plea for the reader to remember him. Ozymandias’ inscription even categorizes the reader as “ye, Mighty” (399, line 11). Ironically, the inscription would not have been meant to up lift the reader’s status to that of a royal, or even the king, but because the king’s statue lays in ruin the reference of “ye, Mighty” places the reader in the highest position.
But it seems that no position is as high as that of the sand, nature itself. It is the sand that was before the king and the statue. It is the sand that is present with the reader.
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal Wreck, boundless and bare,
The lone and level sands stretch far away. (399, lines 12-14)
And as the passage suggests, it is the sand that will be after the reader. But why does Shelley give such importance to the sand, or to nature? It is my assumption that Shelley is suggesting that nature is the only true might in the world. Because of nature’s ability to change and remain, we are subject to its niceties and displeasures.
The reader is left to ponder the possibility of the world as they know it becoming an “antique land” (399, line 1) ruined and wrecked as that of Ozymandias.
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5 comments:
Chrishon,
I enjoyed reading your words on Ozymandias. I especially liked your introductory paragraph. I thought that it was really well written. However, you leave us in suspens at the end of your paragraph when you say: "We must find other means of showing and defining our greatness, if greatness is even important." Are you talking about spiritual life? Family life? Are you comparing it to the materialistic part of life? I would have loved to see a little more insights about that. I enjoy seeing what people think on those kind of topics. Maybe you will come across that subject again in a later poem. Think about describing your point of view a little more. Or if not your point of view, what you thought could be the author's ideas in between the lines... just to dig a little deeper! Thanks for that entry!
Chrishon,
Very nice job in explicating Shelley's "Ozymandias"! This is one of my favorite poems by him. I like the way you quote and analyze the poem, and consider the reader's thought processes while reading it. Keep up the good work.
I think you did a great job in analysizing Shelley's work, "Ozymandias"! I must agree with you that this is one of Shelley's better poems. What really caught my attention by reading your blog is how you brought out the connection betwen human's weakness and the power of nature. When all is said and done, and no matter how powerful we think we are, it is only for a time. As you have righfully said nature is the only true might because nature will always remain. It may change for a time allowing us to enjoy its variety but in the end nature will always remain forever. Great job.
Wow, I really liked what you had to say in this post about Ozymandias. I also wrote on this poem because like you, I thought it was one of his better works.
One think I specifically liked about you post is the analysis you made of Shelley's intentions with the sand. I hand't considered the way that nature, in this poem sand, really outlasts everything human or man-made. Shelley does draw readers to pay close attention to the sand, which I foolishly overlooked. Great post.
I really liked Shelley's "Ozymandias". I thought it was well written and very open for interpretaion, so it is fun to see how different people interpret the poem. I really enjoyed your discussion on nature and how nature could be the only thing that lasts. It is interesting to think that the world could become and Antique land. Good Post!
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