Ozymandias | Ozymandias Poem by PB Shelle | Ozymandias Poem Summary and Analysis | Free PDF Download – Easy Literary Lessons
Ozymandias
I met a traveller from an antique land,
Who said—“Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the desert. . . . Near them, on the sand,
Half sunk a shattered visage lies, whose frown,
And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command,
Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,
The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed;
And on the pedestal, these words appear:
My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings;
Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal Wreck, boundless and bare
The lone and level sands stretch far away.”
line-by-line explanation of the poem
I met a traveller from an antique land,
Explanation
The speaker, presumably the poet himself, encounters a traveler from an ancient civilization. This sets the stage for the narrative that is about to unfold. The ‘antique land’ suggests a place rich in history and ancient cultures.
Poetic devices:
Metaphor: The ‘traveller’ is a metaphor for a story or history.
Imagery: The ‘antique land’ is an image that represents a place with a long, rich history. The use of the word ‘antique’ suggests a civilization that is ancient or old, which sets the stage for the narrative that is about to unfold.
Who said—“Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the desert. . . .
Explanation
The traveler begins his tale. He describes seeing the remains of a statue in the desert. The statue is missing its upper body, leaving only two large stone legs standing. This image creates a sense of desolation and abandonment.
Poetic Device:
Imagery: The imagery of “vast and trunkless legs of stone” paints a vivid picture of the ruins in the desert.
Symbolism: The “trunkless legs of stone” symbolize the decay and impermanence of power and glory.
Near them, on the sand,
Half sunk a shattered visage lies,
Explanation
Close to the legs, the traveler sees a broken face half-buried in the sand. This is the head of the statue, which has fallen and shattered. The image of the ‘shattered visage’ further emphasizes the theme of decay and the transience of human achievements.
Poetic Device:
Imagery: This line continues the visual imagery with the ‘shattered visage’ half-sunk in the sand. The use of the word ‘shattered’ introduces the theme of destruction and decay. The ‘visage’ or face of the statue is ‘half sunk’ in the sand, suggesting the passage of time and the erosion of the statue.
whose frown,
And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command,
Explanation
The face of the statue is described as having a frown, a wrinkled lip, and a sneer of cold command. These features suggest that the statue was of a powerful, perhaps arrogant, ruler. The ‘cold command’ implies a ruler who ruled with an iron fist.
Poetic Device:
Imagery: The description of the visage’s facial features creates a vivid image in the reader’s mind.
Personification: This line uses personification by giving the statue human characteristics. The ‘frown’, ‘wrinkled lip’, and ‘sneer of cold command’ suggest the statue’s subject was a stern, authoritative figure. These features give the statue a sense of life and personality, even though it is an inanimate object.
Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,
Explanation
The sculptor understood well the passions (pride, disdain) of the person the statue represents. These passions survive, captured in the lifeless stone. This line praises the skill of the sculptor who was able to immortalize the ruler’s passions in stone.
Poetic Device:
Personification: The suggestion that the sculpture’s features “tell” the emotions suggests a connection between the artwork and the artist’s understanding of human nature.
Alliteration: The repetition of the “s” sound in “survive” and “stamped” creates a soft, flowing rhythm.
The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed;
Explanation
The hand that mocked them could refer to the sculptor’s hand, which accurately captured the ruler’s passions. The heart that fed refers to the ruler’s heart, which fed or fueled these passions. This line suggests a critique of both the ruler’s vanity and the sculptor’s complicity in promoting it.
Poetic Device:
Metaphor: This line uses metaphor. The ‘hand that mocked them’ refers to the sculptor’s hand that created the statue, and the ‘heart that fed’ refers to the heart of the ruler that fueled his passions. This line suggests a critique of both the ruler’s vanity and the sculptor’s complicity in promoting it.
And on the pedestal, these words appear:
Explanation
On the base of the statue, there is an inscription. This sets up the reader for the revelation of the statue’s identity.
Poetic Device:
Imagery: This line uses visual imagery to draw attention to the inscription on the pedestal, setting up the reader for the revelation of the statue’s identity.
My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings;
Explanation
The inscription reveals the identity of the statue as Ozymandias, a Greek name for the Egyptian pharaoh Ramses II. He declares himself the king of all kings, a boastful claim of absolute power and superiority.
Poetic Device:
Allusion: The name “Ozymandias” alludes to the ancient Egyptian pharaoh Ramesses II, adding historical and cultural depth to the poem.
Hyperbole: Referring to himself as “King of Kings” is hyperbolic, emphasizing Ozymandias’ arrogance and grandiosity.
Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair
Explanation
The inscription is a challenge to other powerful rulers to look upon his works and despair at their own insignificance. This is a display of Ozymandias’s arrogance and belief in his own eternal supremacy.
Poetic Device:
Irony: This line is an example of dramatic irony. Ozymandias tells other ‘mighty’ rulers to despair at the sight of his works, but the reader knows that all that remains of his works is a ruined statue. This creates a contrast between Ozymandias’s perception of his power and the reality of his legacy.
Nothing beside remains.
Explanation
Despite Ozymandias’s boast, nothing of his works remains beside the ruined statue. This line delivers the poem’s central irony: the mighty ruler’s works have crumbled into oblivion.
Poetic Device:
Juxtaposition: This line is a juxtaposition of the previous line. Despite Ozymandias’s boast, nothing remains of his works, emphasizing the theme of the transience of human achievements. This line delivers the poem’s central irony: the mighty ruler’s works have crumbled into oblivion.
Round the decay
Of that colossal Wreck, boundless and bare
The lone and level sands stretch far away.”
Explanation
The poem concludes with the image of the vast, empty desert surrounding the decayed statue. This underscores the theme of the transience of human achievements and the inevitability of oblivion. The ‘lone and level sands’ symbolize the relentless passage of time, which eventually erases all traces of human endeavor.
Poetic Device:
Imagery: The image of “lone and level sands stretch far away” creates a sense of vast emptiness and desolation.
Alliteration: The repetition of the “l” sound in “lone” and “level” creates a smooth, flowing rhythm.
In essence, “Ozymandias” serves as a powerful commentary on the vanity of human pride, the fleeting nature of power, and the ultimate inevitability of oblivion. It reminds us that no matter how great one’s achievements may be, they are temporary and will eventually be forgotten. The only things that endure are time and nature. The poem also highlights the enduring power of art, as the sculptor’s work outlives the ruler, and the poem itself, as a work of art, outlives both, carrying their story forward into the future.
Summary
“Ozymandias” is a sonnet written by Percy Bysshe Shelley, first published in 1818. It tells the story of a traveler who encounters the ruins of a once-mighty statue in the desert, presumably depicting the ancient Egyptian pharaoh Ramesses II, who was known by the Greeks as Ozymandias. The poem reflects on the transient nature of power and the inevitable decline of all empires and achievements.
The traveler describes seeing the remains of the statue, which include only two massive legs of stone and a shattered visage lying in the sand. Despite the grandeur of the statue’s inscription proclaiming Ozymandias as the mighty king of kings, the surrounding landscape is desolate and empty, with nothing remaining of his empire or accomplishments except for the decaying ruins.
The poem’s message is one of humility and the reminder that even the most powerful rulers and civilizations will eventually be forgotten, their achievements reduced to mere relics in the sands of time. It serves as a cautionary tale against hubris and the belief in immortality through one’s earthly deeds.
Key Points
Author
Percy Bysshe Shelley, the author of “Ozymandias”, was one of the major English Romantic poets. His work is characterized by his use of imagery, symbolism, and themes of nature and beauty. He was known for his radical political views and his advocacy for social reform, which often found expression in his poetry.
Form (Rhyme Scheme)
“Ozymandias” is a sonnet, a form of poetry that originated in Italy and became popular in England during the Renaissance. A sonnet traditionally has 14 lines and a specific rhyme scheme. Shelley’s sonnet follows a slightly irregular scheme (ABABACDCEDEFEF), which is a variation of the traditional Italian or Petrarchan sonnet.
Speaker
The speaker in the poem is an unnamed narrator who meets a traveler from an ‘antique land’. The traveler tells the story of the ruined statue, which forms the narrative of the poem. The use of a traveler as a narrative device allows Shelley to create a sense of distance and time, enhancing the theme of the transience of human achievements.
Setting
The setting of the poem is a vast, desolate desert where the remains of a colossal statue lie. This setting is significant as it underscores the themes of decay and the passage of time. The statue, once a symbol of Ozymandias’s might, is now a colossal wreck in the middle of a boundless and bare desert, symbolizing the inevitable decline of all leaders and empires over time.
Theme
The main theme of “Ozymandias” is the transience of human power and achievements. Despite Ozymandias’s claim to eternal fame, his works have decayed and been forgotten, demonstrating the inevitable passage of time and the impermanence of human glory. This theme is a common one in Romantic poetry, which often emphasized the power of nature and the insignificance of human achievements in the face of time and nature.
Plot
The plot of the poem revolves around the description of the ruined statue. The inscription on the statue reveals the identity of Ozymandias and his boastful claim to power. However, the surrounding desolation and the decayed state of the statue contradict this claim, highlighting the irony of his boast. The plot serves to illustrate the poem’s central theme of the transience of human achievements.
Tone
The tone of the poem is contemplative and ironic. The speaker reflects on the vanity of human pride and the fleeting nature of power, while the irony lies in the contrast between Ozymandias’s perception of his power and the reality of his forgotten works. The tone enhances the poem’s critique of the vanity of human pride and the illusion of immortality that power can bring.
Style
Shelley’s style in “Ozymandias” is characterized by the use of vivid imagery, irony, and various poetic devices such as metaphor, personification, and alliteration. His language is rich and descriptive, creating a stark image of the ruined statue and the desolate landscape. His use of irony serves to underscore the poem’s central theme and message.
Message
The message of “Ozymandias” is a critique of the vanity of human pride and the illusion of immortality that power can bring. It serves as a reminder that all human achievements, no matter how grand, are temporary and will one day be forgotten. The only things that endure are time and nature. The poem also highlights the enduring power of art, as the sculptor’s work outlives the ruler, and the poem itself, as a work of art, outlives both, carrying their story forward into the future. This message is a reflection of the Romantic belief in the power of art and the insignificance of human achievements in the face of time and nature.
Percy Bysshe Shelley
Birth and Early Life
Percy Bysshe Shelley was born on August 4, 1792, in Field Place, near Horsham, Sussex, England.
He was the eldest son of Timothy Shelley, a Member of Parliament, and his wife Elizabeth Pilfold.
Education
Shelley was educated at Syon House Academy and then at Eton.
He later attended University College, Oxford, but was expelled for refusing to admit authorship of a controversial essay titled “The Necessity of Atheism”.
Literary Career
Shelley is considered one of the major English Romantic poets.
His works are known for their passionate intensity and for their criticism of the political, social, and religious values of the time.
Some of his best-known works include “Ozymandias”, “Ode to the West Wind”, “To a Skylark”, “Adonais”, and the verse dramas “The Cenci” and “Prometheus Unbound”.
Personal Life
Shelley eloped with Harriet Westbrook, the younger daughter of a London tavern owner, in 1811.
After Harriet’s death, he married Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin, who would later achieve fame as the author of “Frankenstein”.
Political and Social Views
Shelley was known for his radical political and social views.
His works often reflect his calls for social justice and his belief in the transformative power of love.
Death
Shelley died at a young age of 29 on July 8, 1822, at sea off Livorno, Tuscany.
Legacy
Although Shelley did not achieve fame during his lifetime, recognition of his achievements in poetry grew steadily following his death.
He became an important influence on subsequent generations of poets, including Robert Browning, Algernon Charles Swinburne, Thomas Hardy, and W. B. Yeats.
His works became popular in Owenist, Chartist, and radical political circles, and later drew admirers as diverse as Karl Marx, Mahatma Gandhi, and George Bernard Shaw.
Word Meaning
Tough Word |
Meaning in English |
Meaning in Hindi |
| Antique | old, typically valuable | प्राचीन |
| Vast | very large or extensive | विशाल |
| Trunkless | without a trunk or body | बिना खंभा या शरीर के |
| Sunk | descended or submerged | डूबा हुआ |
| Shattered | broken into many pieces | टूटा हुआ |
| Visage | a person’s face or facial expression | चेहरा |
| Frown | a facial expression of displeasure | मुँह फुटाना |
| Wrinkled | marked with lines or wrinkles | शिकनदार |
| Sneer | a contemptuous or mocking smile, remark, or tone | तिरस्कार |
| Command | an authoritative order | आदेश |
| Sculptor | carver | मूर्तिकार |
| Passions | strong and barely controllable emotions | भावनाएँ |
| Survive | to continue to live or exist | बच जाना |
| Stamped | impressed or marked with a design | मुहर |
| Mocked | teased or made fun of | मजाक उड़ाया |
| Fed | supplied with food | खिलाया गया |
| Pedestal | the base or support on which a statue, obelisk, or column is mounted | मूर्तितल |
| Ozymandias | The name of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh, commonly identified with Ramesses II | ओज़ीमैंडियस |
| Mighty | possessing great and impressive power or strength | शक्तिशाली |
| Despair | the complete loss or absence of hope | निराशा |
| Colossal | extremely large or great | बहुत बड़ा |
| Wreck | the remains of something that has been badly damaged or destroyed | तोड़फोड़ |
| Boundless | unlimited or immense | अनंत |
| Bare | not covered or adorned | निर्लेप |
| Stretch | to extend over a distance or area | फैलाना |
| Far Away | at or to a considerable distance in space or time | बहुत दूर |
Very Short Answer Questions
Q: Who is the author of “Ozymandias”?
A: The author of “Ozymandias” is Percy Bysshe Shelley.
Q: What is the form of the poem “Ozymandias”?
A: “Ozymandias” is a sonnet.
Q: Who is the speaker in the poem “Ozymandias”?
A: The speaker in the poem is an unnamed narrator.
Q: Where is the setting of the poem “Ozymandias”?
A: The setting of the poem is a vast, desolate desert.
Q: What is the main theme of “Ozymandias”?
A: The main theme of “Ozymandias” is the transience of human power and achievements.
Q: What is the plot of the poem “Ozymandias”?
A: The plot revolves around the description of a ruined statue in the desert.
Q: What is the tone of the poem “Ozymandias”?
A: The tone of the poem is contemplative and ironic.
Q: What style is used in the poem “Ozymandias”?
A: Shelley’s style in “Ozymandias” is characterized by vivid imagery, irony, and various poetic devices.
Q: What is the message of the poem “Ozymandias”?
A: The message of “Ozymandias” is a critique of the vanity of human pride and the illusion of immortality that power can bring.
Q: What does the ‘traveller from an antique land’ represent in the poem?
A: The ‘traveller’ is a metaphor for a story or history.
Q: What does the ‘vast and trunkless legs of stone’ symbolize in the poem?
A: The ‘legs of stone’ represent the entire statue, and by extension, the once-great king Ozymandias.
Q: What does the ‘shattered visage’ refer to in the poem?
A: The ‘shattered visage’ refers to the broken face of the statue, symbolizing destruction and decay.
Q: What does the ‘sneer of cold command’ suggest in the poem?
A: The ‘sneer of cold command’ suggests the statue’s subject was a stern, authoritative figure.
Q: What does the ‘hand that mocked them’ refer to in the poem?
A: The ‘hand that mocked them’ refers to the sculptor’s hand that created the statue.
Q: What does the ‘heart that fed’ refer to in the poem?
A: The ‘heart that fed’ refers to the heart of the ruler that fueled his passions.
Q: What does the inscription on the pedestal reveal in the poem?
A: The inscription reveals the identity of the statue as Ozymandias and his claim to power.
Q: What is the irony in the poem “Ozymandias”?
A: The irony lies in the contrast between Ozymandias’s perception of his power and the reality of his forgotten works.
Q: What does ‘Nothing beside remains’ mean in the poem?
A: ‘Nothing beside remains’ means that nothing of Ozymandias’s works remains beside the ruined statue.
Q: What do the ‘lone and level sands’ symbolize in the poem?
A: The ‘lone and level sands’ symbolize time, which erases all human achievements.
Q: What does the ruined statue represent in the poem?
A: The ruined statue represents the inevitable decline of all leaders and the empires they build over time.
Short Answer Questions
Q: Who is Ozymandias in the poem and what does he represent?
A: Ozymandias is the subject of the ruined statue in the poem. He is a symbol of the once-great king whose works have now crumbled into oblivion. His name is a Greek rendition of the Egyptian pharaoh Ramses II. Ozymandias represents the fleeting nature of human power and achievements.
Q: What is the significance of the ‘traveller from an antique land’ in the poem?
A: The ‘traveller from an antique land’ serves as a narrative device that allows Shelley to create a sense of distance and time. The traveller’s tale about the ruined statue forms the narrative of the poem. The ‘antique land’ suggests a place rich in history and ancient cultures.
Q: How does the poem “Ozymandias” reflect the Romantic ideals?
A: “Ozymandias” reflects the Romantic ideals through its emphasis on the power of nature and the insignificance of human achievements in the face of time and nature. It also highlights the enduring power of art, as the sculptor’s work outlives the ruler, and the poem itself, as a work of art, outlives both, carrying their story forward into the future.
Q: What is the irony in the poem “Ozymandias”?
A: The irony in “Ozymandias” lies in the contrast between Ozymandias’s perception of his power and the reality of his forgotten works. Despite his boastful claim to eternal fame, all that remains of his works is a ruined statue in the middle of a desolate desert.
Q: How does the poem “Ozymandias” critique the vanity of human pride?
A: “Ozymandias” critiques the vanity of human pride through the depiction of the ruined statue of Ozymandias. Despite his boastful claim to eternal fame, all that remains of his works is a ruined statue. This serves as a stark reminder of the transience of human achievements and the inevitable passage of time.
Q: What does the ‘shattered visage’ symbolize in the poem?
A: The ‘shattered visage’ in the poem symbolizes the destruction and decay of Ozymandias’s works. Despite his claim to eternal fame, his statue has been reduced to a ‘shattered visage’, symbolizing the inevitable decline of all leaders and empires over time.
Q: How does the poem “Ozymandias” highlight the enduring power of art?
A: “Ozymandias” highlights the enduring power of art through the depiction of the sculptor’s work. Despite the decay of Ozymandias’s works, the passions of the ruler are still visible on the ‘lifeless’ statue, demonstrating that art can outlive the subject it represents. Furthermore, the poem itself, as a work of art, carries the story of Ozymandias forward into the future.
Q: What is the message of the poem “Ozymandias”?
A: The message of “Ozymandias” is a critique of the vanity of human pride and the illusion of immortality that power can bring. It serves as a reminder that all human achievements, no matter how grand, are temporary and will one day be forgotten. The only things that endure are time and nature.
Q: How does the poem “Ozymandias” use imagery?
A: “Ozymandias” uses vivid visual imagery to create a stark image of the ruined statue and the desolate landscape. The ‘vast and trunkless legs of stone’, the ‘shattered visage’, and the ‘lone and level sands’ all contribute to the vivid imagery in the poem.
Q: What does the ‘hand that mocked them’ refer to in the poem?
A: The ‘hand that mocked them’ refers to the sculptor’s hand that created the statue. The sculptor is able to capture the passions of the ruler on the lifeless stone, thus ‘mocking’ the ruler’s attempt at immortality.
Essay Type Questions
Write the critical appreciation of the poem.
Introduction
“Ozymandias” is a sonnet penned by Percy Bysshe Shelley, a renowned English Romantic poet. Published for the first time in 1818, it is arguably Shelley’s most famous and frequently anthologized poem. The poem delves into themes such as time, power, and the fleeting nature of human accomplishments, offering a profound commentary on these universal concepts.
Central Idea
The central idea or the core concept of “Ozymandias” revolves around the inevitable decline of all leaders and the empires they construct. Despite their grand ambitions and intentions, time erodes everything, leaving behind nothing but a faint memory, if even that. The once mighty Ozymandias is now reduced to a pair of shattered legs and a sneering face, half-buried in the sand, symbolizing the transient nature of power and glory.
Structure & Rhyme Scheme
“Ozymandias” is a sonnet, a form of poetry that originated in Italy and became popular in England during the Renaissance. A sonnet traditionally has 14 lines and follows a specific rhyme scheme. Shelley’s sonnet, however, follows a slightly irregular scheme (ABABACDCEDEFEF), deviating from the traditional Italian or Petrarchan sonnet. This unique structure allows Shelley to express his ideas concisely yet powerfully.
Theme “Ozymandias” by Percy Bysshe Shelley explores several themes:
- Transience of Human Achievements and Power: The most prominent theme in “Ozymandias” is the fleeting nature of human achievements and power. The ruined statue symbolizes the inevitable decline of all leaders and the empires they build over time. Despite Ozymandias’s claim to eternal fame, his works have decayed and been forgotten, demonstrating the inevitable passage of time and the impermanence of human glory.
- Vanity of Human Pride: The poem critiques the vanity of human pride through the depiction of the ruined statue of Ozymandias. Despite his boastful claim to eternal fame, all that remains of his works is a ruined statue. This serves as a stark reminder of the transience of human achievements and the inevitable passage of time. It underscores the futility of seeking immortality through worldly achievements.
- Power of Art: The poem also highlights the enduring power of art. The sculptor’s work outlives the ruler, and the poem itself, as a work of art, outlives both, carrying their story forward into the future. The passions of the ruler are still visible on the ‘lifeless’ statue, demonstrating that art can outlive the subject it represents. This theme is a reflection of the Romantic belief in the power of art.
- Inevitability of Time and Nature: The ‘lone and level sands’ that ‘stretch far away’ symbolize time, which erases all human achievements. The vast, empty desert surrounding the decayed statue underscores the themes of decay and the passage of time. The only things that endure are time and nature. This theme is a common one in Romantic poetry, which often emphasized the power of nature and the insignificance of human achievements in the face of time and nature.
Style
Shelley’s style in “Ozymandias” is characterized by the use of vivid imagery, irony, and various poetic devices such as metaphor, personification, and alliteration. His language is rich and descriptive, painting a stark image of the ruined statue and the desolate landscape. This style is typical of the Romantic era, which emphasized emotion, individualism, and the beauty and power of nature.
Poetic Devices
Shelley employs several poetic devices in “Ozymandias”. These include imagery, where he uses vivid descriptions to create mental pictures that engage the reader’s senses. Irony is used to highlight the contrast between Ozymandias’s perception of his power and the reality of his forgotten works. Alliteration, the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words, is used to add a musical quality to the poem. Other devices like metaphor, personification, and synecdoche are used to add depth and complexity to the poem.
Message
The message of “Ozymandias” is a critique of the vanity of human pride and the illusion of immortality that power can bring. It serves as a reminder that all human achievements, no matter how grand, are temporary and will one day be forgotten. The only things that endure are time and nature. The poem also highlights the enduring power of art, as the sculptor’s work outlives the ruler, and the poem itself, as a work of art, outlives both, carrying their story forward into the future.
Conclusion
In conclusion, “Ozymandias” is a powerful commentary on the vanity of human pride, the fleeting nature of power, and the ultimate inevitability of oblivion. Through its vivid imagery, ironic tone, and skillful use of poetic devices, the poem captures the reader’s imagination while conveying its profound themes. It serves as a stark reminder of the transience of human achievements and the enduring power of art and nature. Thus, while human power is transient, art has the power to endure and keep the memory of the past alive.
