Ozymandias: A Study

1
Ozymandias A Study

• Written by Percy Bysshe Shelley
• Essay by Sanger Rainsford

2
Setting in Ozymandias

• The setting of Ozymandias is a desolate wasteland
• Deserts 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 setting
• A desert is lifeless, showing that nothing really
  lasts forever.

3
Imagery in Ozymandias

• Imagery used most when describing the kings
  statue
• Two vast and trunkless legs of stone stand alone
  in the desert.
• Statue is trunkless missing midsection and heart
• Poem includes hand, face, and legs.
• Ozymandias looks complete/passionate and driven
• Although he has strong character, he has no
  compassion
• Shattered face powerful but not intelligent
  forgettable

4
Half-sunk, a shattered visage lies
The shattered face is important because it shows
Ozymandias lack of character.
5
Why Ozymandias is Still Relevant

• Ozymandias is a poem that warns against pride
• Pride refusal to accept that you will be
  forgotten
• Time is unstoppable and does not discriminate
• Fame temporary for people who are not genuinely
  special
• Fame long-lasting for people with real gifts to
  humanity

6
Two vast and trunkless legs of stone Stand in
the desert.

• This is a picture of two legs in Amarillo, Texas
• Legs constructed to honor Shelleys poem
• Legs important to story because they prove the
  existence of Ozymandias
• Also represent the loss of midsection/heart