Ozymandias: A Study

Written by Percy Bysshe ShelleyEssay by Sanger Rainsford

Setting in Ozymandias

The setting of Ozymandias is a desolate wastelandDeserts represent the sands of time and the expanse of time before and after Ozymandias.The Egyptian desert is used because of both its monuments and the fact that it is an antique land = a mysterious settingA desert is lifeless, showing that nothing really lasts forever.

Imagery in OzymandiasImagery in Ozymandias

Imagery used most when describing the king’s statue“Two vast and trunkless legs of stone stand alone in the desert.”Statue is trunkless= missing midsection and heartPoem includes hand, face, and legs. Ozymandias looks complete/passionate and drivenAlthough he has strong character, he has no compassion Shattered face = powerful but not intelligent= forgettable

“Half-sunk, a shattered visage lies…”

The shattered face is important because it shows Ozymandias’ lack of character.

Why Ozymandias is Still Relevant

Ozymandias is a poem that warns against pridePride= refusal to accept that you will be forgotten Time is unstoppable and does not discriminateFame= temporary for people who are not genuinely specialFame= long-lasting for people with real gifts to humanity

“Two vast and trunkless legs of stone Stand in the desert.”

This is a picture of two legs in Amarillo, TexasLegs constructed to honor Shelley’s poemLegs important to story because they prove the existence of OzymandiasAlso represent the loss of midsection/heart