Themes: The Illusion of Power
The fate of Ozymandias leads one to ask what this king accomplished in his lifetime and for posterity. What the traveler has seen on the remaining visage is a "sneer of cold command." The phrase conveys something about the nature of "command": it's based on cruelty. In itself it gives the key to the wreckage of Ozymandias lying in the sand. Shelley's message is a paraphrase of the scriptural wisdom that those who live by the sword shall perish by the sword. The "frown" and "wrinkled lip" of the king also suggest the power the man held seems not to have achieved for him the happiness or fulfillment he might have expected. But what, Shelley is asking, is power? Presumably in his time this man possessed it, but now that it's gone, and that all evidence of it is absent as well, the significance or value of that power when it did exist is called into question.
In the view of Shelley and his generation, the "second wave" of Romantics, power was meaningless. They came of age during the Napoleonic wars, when the unlimited might of the anciens régimes of Europe was destroyed, as was Napoleon's own power when he was finally defeated in 1815. People looked back on over twenty years of violence and asked, what was the point of it all? Ozymandias and his destruction are a metaphor for the events of Shelley's own time. The power Ozymandias held, like that of Bonaparte, was something false, illusory. Or, when it did exist, it was probably not worth having, and those who do seek power over others are contemptible, the worst of mankind.
Expert Q&A
Why did Shelley capitalize "King of Kings," "Works," "Mighty," and "Wreck" in "Ozymandias"?
Shelley capitalized "King of Kings," "Works," "Mighty," and "Wreck" in "Ozymandias" to emphasize Ozymandias's perceived supreme power and achievements. These capitalizations reflect the king's self-importance and serve to heighten the irony of his current desolate state. The capitalized "Wreck" underscores the stark contrast between Ozymandias's grandiose claims and the actual ruin that remains.
What does the tone of "Ozymandias" suggest about the speaker's view on power?
The tone of "Ozymandias" suggests that the speaker views power as ultimately transient and futile. Through irony, Shelley conveys that despite Ozymandias's arrogance and attempts to immortalize his rule, time and nature have eroded his legacy. The dilapidated statue and ironic inscription highlight the inevitable decline of power, emphasizing that all who wield it will eventually be humbled by greater forces beyond their control.
Is Ozymandias Shelley's idea of a good ruler? Why or why not?
Shelley does not present Ozymandias as a good ruler. Through the imagery of the shattered statue and the arrogant inscription, Shelley illustrates the pharaoh's misguided belief in his own greatness. The poem contrasts Ozymandias's self-importance with the desolate ruins that symbolize his forgotten legacy. Shelley's portrayal suggests a good ruler would be remembered for benevolence and wisdom, not fear and arrogance, and would not have their monument reduced to ruins in a barren desert.
How do Shelley and Blake present ideas about power in "Ozymandias" and "London"?
The poets Shelley and Blake present similar ideas about power in their poems "Ozymandias" and "London." Shelley uses a faded statue of a tyrant to show that all kingdoms fall. Blake looks at how people in power restrict the poor in London. Both show that power upheld by violence is bad for society.
Analyze the language in the quote “Whose frown and wrinkled lip” from "Ozymandias" in relation to power.
The language in the quote "Whose frown and wrinkled lip" from "Ozymandias" highlights power through the statue's expression of anger and contempt, indicative of a conqueror rather than a benevolent ruler. Shelley's depiction suggests the king's desire to project a "sneer of cold command," emphasizing his tyrannical power and arrogance. This portrayal of Ozymandias's once formidable authority starkly contrasts with his current obscurity, underscoring the transient nature of power.
How would you annotate the quote "wrinkled lip and sneer of cold command" in Ozymandias?
The quote "wrinkled lip and sneer of cold command" from "Ozymandias" describes the statue's face, highlighting Ozymandias's arrogance. The "sneer" indicates his self-perceived superiority as "king of kings," while "wrinkled" provides a visual image of disdain. His "cold command" suggests a distant, powerful demeanor, reflecting hubris. The alliteration of "cold command" emphasizes his aloofness, with the sharp "c" sound enhancing the image of a commanding, arrogant ruler.
How does Shelley perceive Ozymandias as a despot?
Shelley perceives Ozymandias as a despot through the depiction of the statue's "sneer of cold command" and the arrogant inscription declaring him "king of kings." These elements suggest a ruler who wielded power tyrannically. The poem's theme highlights the transient nature of power, emphasizing that Ozymandias's once-mighty empire has crumbled, reflecting his narcissism and the futility of his quest for immortality. The grand statue symbolizes the resources he monopolized to glorify himself.
What does "Ozymandius" suggest about Ozymandias's rule?
The poem suggests that Ozymandias was a domineering and authoritarian ruler, characterized by arrogance and cruelty. His broken statue, with a "sneer of cold command" and a "hand that mocked," conveys his contempt for his subjects and his oppressive rule. The inscription on the pedestal, urging observers to "despair" at his works, highlights his intimidating and tyrannical nature. Ultimately, the decaying statue symbolizes the futility of his oppressive reign.
Was Ozymandias justified in believing in his own supremacy? Why or why not?
Ozymandias's belief in his own supremacy is portrayed as justified from his perspective due to his confidence in his achievements and their perceived permanence. However, as a fictional character created by Shelley, he embodies overweening pride. The poem suggests irony through the perspective of history, highlighting the eventual decay of his "works" and the futility of his arrogance, thus questioning the justification of his belief in lasting supremacy.
How do "Ozymandias" and "Tissue" compare in the Power and Conflict poetry collection?
Both "Ozymandias" by Percy Bysshe Shelley and "Tissue" by Imtiaz Dharker explore the theme of the transience of power. "Ozymandias" uses the imagery of a decayed statue to symbolize the impermanence of tyrannical power. In contrast, "Tissue" uses paper as a metaphor for the fragility of human power, highlighting its influence yet ultimate vulnerability. Both poems employ imagery effectively; "Ozymandias" through narrative and "Tissue" through examples, to convey their themes of power's ephemeral nature.
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