Ozymandias Essay

Timeless Truths

(An analysis of three messages from Ozymandias, Ode to the West wind, and To a Skylark by Percy Bysshe Shelley)

Percy Bysshe Shelley is one of three very famous second generation romantic writers. Messages from Shelley’s poem were quite radical for his time, especially compared to the first generation romantic writers that came before him. Shelley would write about topics that were taboo for the time such as sex. As young writer, Shelley brings a new view and presents new messages, with some influence from older authors. Shelley is able to present an array of messages through many different poems. Ozymandias, Ode to the West wind, and To a Skylark by Percy Bysshe Shelley each provide the reader with individual messages.

This poem has an interesting and more complex background than first generation romantic writers included in their poems. This poem features a speaker who is telling a story he heard from his friend about when he was in Egypt. The story is based on a real Egyptian pharaoh Ozymandias, or Ramses II. The pharaoh devotes so many resources and time to excessive construction. Ozymandias actually built cities and wouldn't let anyone live in them. He simply built them to show his power. Ozymandias also had huge sculpture built of him outside his populated cities. “On the pedestal these words appear: “My name is Ozymandias, king of kings; look on my works ye mighty and despair!” (lines 9-11) The pharaoh wrote this on his stature first, to proclaim who he was, so his name was known and he could receive the glory, and second, to establish his supreme power. He believed no one would ever be better than he was. This is clearly ironic as the statue was half buried in the sand and the city completely destroyed. This shows the message that nothing last forever. No matter how powerful or exceptional it is at the time, one day it will be long gone and