In Vargas Llosa’s essay “Why Literature?” we are presented with two very important themes: that ideas are very powerful and literature helps develop and spread them and that technology can be a very big enemy to literature and the arts. Similarly, Percy Shelley’s “Ozymandias” represents these.
Throughout his essay, Vargas Llosa states that the written language is what has revolutionized and developed the world as being able to write down thoughts and transmit them has helped others create even more ideas and has also helped develop language itself, getting people to think about new notions and allowing them to explore, imagine, and construct. Another argument presented by Vargas Llosa is that of the impact of technology and how it can sometimes
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However, for “Ozymandias,” it is the context that of the time and the metaphoric ideas of the poem that we witness this. As a Romantic during the Industrial Revolution, Shelley fervently argues that the creations of man are bound to be doomed like Ozymandias’ empire perished as he says “Nothing beside remains. Round the decay // Of that colossal wreck [statue ruins].” And it is this subversive passion against the scientific advancements and the damages it causes, that represent the dangers of technology. Likewise, the sonnet in general presents another notion, that ideas can be everlasting, especially if writing done, like in the statue that claims “'My name is Ozymandias, king of kings: // Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!'” which provides anyone who hears or views this a clear impression of the character of this King. Additionally, Romantics were striving to present people with a different view of the world that was not so scientific, but rather that fought for nature and the arts, and was clearly aware of the need and the power of both, as can be presented in how the ruins have overcome the finiteness of men and Ozymandias’ former