Ozymandias Essay
Ozymandias: Poetry Will Live On
Percy Shelley uses imagery and irony to demonstrate to the readers of his poem “Ozymandias” something more than just a run down work of art. Imagery is used to characterize Ozymandias – a sculptor of a king that was depicted as being cold and overambitious. Shelley uses the words that are written on the pedestal of the statue, and puts them together with the never ending sea of sand and the decaying sculptor itself. When these descriptions come together, the irony of the whole poem is revealed. An image of wear and tear goes through the reader’s mind as Ozymandias’ monument is portrayed. It is only after reading, and studying, and analyzing the poem, that the reader can see that the theme of it suggests …show more content…
Ozymandias thought so much of himself that he actually put his status above all other kings that have ruled before and after him. He sets himself on high by telling everyone to look at all the many things that he accomplished. He does not care if you are another king or some hobo on the street. He wants everyone to look to him and see what a mighty man of valor he really is, and was. Shelley tells us how conceited and self-centered Ozymandias really was in line eight with the phrase “the heart that fed” (8). The king takes high pride in the fact that someone is making a sculptor of him. His legacy will always be around for people to praise and glorify him. With an art piece around, all can view and marvel at his excellence. We are led to believe that his heart is fed and fueled by the arrogance of loving himself with so much passion and the desire to be respected. Shelley uses the kings burning passion for fame and fortune to portray just how weak of an art form the sculptor really is when it is put to the ultimate test of
Percy Shelley uses imagery and irony to demonstrate to the readers of his poem “Ozymandias” something more than just a run down work of art. Imagery is used to characterize Ozymandias – a sculptor of a king that was depicted as being cold and overambitious. Shelley uses the words that are written on the pedestal of the statue, and puts them together with the never ending sea of sand and the decaying sculptor itself. When these descriptions come together, the irony of the whole poem is revealed. An image of wear and tear goes through the reader’s mind as Ozymandias’ monument is portrayed. It is only after reading, and studying, and analyzing the poem, that the reader can see that the theme of it suggests …show more content…
Ozymandias thought so much of himself that he actually put his status above all other kings that have ruled before and after him. He sets himself on high by telling everyone to look at all the many things that he accomplished. He does not care if you are another king or some hobo on the street. He wants everyone to look to him and see what a mighty man of valor he really is, and was. Shelley tells us how conceited and self-centered Ozymandias really was in line eight with the phrase “the heart that fed” (8). The king takes high pride in the fact that someone is making a sculptor of him. His legacy will always be around for people to praise and glorify him. With an art piece around, all can view and marvel at his excellence. We are led to believe that his heart is fed and fueled by the arrogance of loving himself with so much passion and the desire to be respected. Shelley uses the kings burning passion for fame and fortune to portray just how weak of an art form the sculptor really is when it is put to the ultimate test of