Analysis Of The Poem Ozymandias - 1512 Words

In 1818, Percy Bysshe Shelley wrote Ozymandias, which is a highly complex yet compact poem. The historical context of the poem is important to consider when analyzing the poem for underlying perspectives. Johnstone Parr, an author that contributed to Keats-Shelley Journal, analyzed the poem for historical influences, and learned the following: â€Å"The ultimate source of information concerning Ozymandias is the account in Diodorus Siculus’ Biliotheca Historica (first century B.C.). Diodurus remarks that at the second gateway of the funeral temple or â€Å"tomb† of an Egyptian king known as â€Å"Osymandyas† are three statues, each of stone, the workmanship of Memnon of Sientias. Historians and archaeologists of the twentieth century seem to be agreed†¦show more content†¦Most obviously this refers to the Ozymandias’ reading of his achievement and the poet’s apparent reinterpretation of it in the light of time’s triumph and the surr ounding void. But there are more than two readers here and more than one text to be read. There are two readers of events who speak the poem: the traveler and â€Å"I† (we will call him Shelley†) who met him, heard his words and recorded them. There are two more readers in the poem to whom at least one of the first pair, the traveler, refers: Ozymandias and the sculptor who â€Å"well those passions read which yet survive†¦Ã¢â‚¬  And there is a fifth reader outside the poem whose job it presumably is to read, interpret, and understand them all. Taken collectively, they represent a considerable range of types of readers, of ways in which written or other material may be approached------different types, more completely, of creators and interpreters since all are in some way both† (Freedman). Part of the complexity arises from the statues expression which is originally relayed through the traveler; however, the sculptor’s unique depiction of the pharaoh may not have shown the pharaoh’s true visage. Therefore, the only accurate portrayal of the pharaoh can be ascertained from the words that wereShow MoreRelatedOzymandias poem analysis1143 Words   |  5 Pages54461332 Assignment 01 Unique number: 859786 Ozymandias Question 1: Pharaoh Ozymandias was a cruel tyrant, who thought himself to be the most mighty person on earth; almost as mighty as a god. The statue is described as having â€Å"two vast and trunkless legs† (line 2) inspiring the reader to comprehend Ozymandias’ power; he was so mighty that no-one could even measure his â€Å"vast† power. The reader is led to understand that Ozymandias was an arrogant, cruel leader with the words: â€Å"frown† (lineRead MoreAnalysis Of The Poem Ozymandias By Percy Shelley Essay1002 Words   |  5 Pagesforgotten. Ozymandias by Percy Shelley is about a man who hears from a traveler about a statue in the dessert. This statue had the words My name Ozymandias, King of kings: / Look on my work ye mighty and despair is inscribe on the pedestal. Ozymandias like many other leaders from the past were corrupted by their power. These leaders were blinded by their power thinking that they could overcome anything. In the end their obsession with power leads them nowhere. The theme of this poem is that powerRead MoreAnalysis Of The Poem Ozymandias By Percy Bysshe Shelley1373 Words   |  6 Pagesand the destruction of the Persian Empire by Alexander the Great are all vivid examples of opulence being crushed by fate. In the poem â€Å"Ozymandias†, by Percy Bysshe Shelley, through the use of symbols, several allitera tions, repetitive end rhyme and iambic pentameter the vanity found in human works and the futility of opulence and power is displayed. All throughout the poem is this vanity present as a traveler describes the destroyed stone figure, which at some point represented magnificence and powerRead MoreAnalysis Of The Poem Ozymandias By Percy Bysshe Shelley1371 Words   |  6 Pagesas I progress through my degree. We also looked at the poem ‘Ozymandias’ by Percy Bysshe Shelley. What I took from the poem, and what we agreed on, was that the overall theme of the poem was destruction and how things change over time. What I found fascinating was the variety of opinions that my classmates had; some of the ideas presented were intriguing and though-provoking, such as the fact that there could be more than one voice in the poem. This has inspired me to look deeper when analysing aRead MoreOzymandias Analysis1261 Words   |  6 PagesAnalysis of â€Å"Ozymandias† The poem â€Å"Ozymandias† is considered one of Percy Bysshe Shelley’s best sonnets. It was written in 1817 and is still recognized today as its meaning still holds true. â€Å"Ozymandias† illustrates the fall of power and mortality through a once powerful king. This is shown through the pride of the king, the tyranny that the king ruled by, and the transience of his ruling and empire. The king Ozymandias has a great amount of pride for what he has accomplished during his timeRead MoreHow the Poem Ozymandias Highlights the Fundamental Issue in the Film Watchmen1255 Words   |  6 Pages Percy Shelley, â€Å"Ozymandias† This is a profound statement ascribed to one of the most powerful pharaohs of ancient Egypt. Yet, as Percy Shelly writes, the â€Å"works,† due to the sands of time, have vanished – â€Å"of that colossal wreck†¦ the long and level sands stretch far away† (13-14). At his zenith, Ozymandias believed his empire was timeless and would inspire â€Å"despair† in all those who labored to match his accomplishments. But the monuments, his self-praising idols, and, in sum, his empire have allRead MoreSonnet Analysis : Ozymandias And The Second Coming1253 Words   |  6 Pages Sonnet Analysis: Ozymandias and The Second Coming Name: Date: Sonnet Analysis: Ozymandias and The Second Coming Ozymandias and The Second Coming are interesting pieces that easily capture the attention of the reader. From the titles to themes and other literary elements, it is indisputable that indeed these pieces qualify for analysis. There are major themes that come out in each of the sonnets. To start with The Second Coming, some of the themes that emerge include good versus evilRead MoreAnalysis of I wondered Lonely as a Cloud by William Wordsworth1309 Words   |  6 PagesIn vacant or in pensive mood, They flash upon that inward eye Which is the bliss of solitude; And then my hearth with pleasure fills, And dances with the daffodils. Analysis: Wordsworth had nature as his religion, and that was the main theme of his work and also a characteristic of romanticism. And it’s also very clear on this poem. As literary devices, we have Alliteration on the second line of the first stanza, alliteration and assonance on the fifth line of the first stanza and personificationRead MoreMorality And Moral Decision Making2005 Words   |  9 Pagesantagonist, Ozymandias, may be seen as the savior of mankind, depending on the perspective taken. Through one lens, Ozymandias is a cold blooded killer of innocents. However, alternatively, he is a strategic mastermind and took a calculated risk for the betterment of mankind as a whole. Moral decisions that balance individual rights versus a utilitarian approach are not limited to the fictional world of Watchmen. In August of 1945, President Harry Truman made a decision similar to Ozymandias, to placeRead MoreThe Road Not Taken By Robert Frost1221 Words   |  5 Pagesis a dynamic and deep poem orchestrated to perfection. However, equal to its acclaim, is the misunderstanding of the poem. A piece of literature of this stature deserves to be under the microscope of our classes critical discussions. I believe that the time would be beneficial to everyone. Giving a breath of fresh air to a poem that has been abused by Hallmark cards for decades. Room should be made for the inclusion of this outstanding literature. In the opinion of this poem having literary merit