Ozymandias Poem By: Percy Bysshe Shelley Presenters: Lindsey Etzkorn and Danny Knoblauch

Ozymandias Summary: The author meets a traveller in a unique land, who tells him about a statue that's in the desert. The statue is two legs without a body, and the head is sunk into the sand. The traveller discusses the facial expression on the statues head and how the sculptor understood how the subject being sculpted felt. The traveller says that even though both the subject and the sculptor are both dead, those emotions will forever be stamped on the sculptures face. The traveller discusses the irony of how the pedestal of the statue says “My name is Ozymandias, king of kings: / Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!," yet the statue is ruined and nothing remains around it.

Connotation Rhythm: Ozymandias is written in iambic pentameter Melody: Rhyming is used with the last words of a few lines (land-sand, read- fed, despair-bare, decay-away). This gives the poem more of a flow to it, not just a plain, boring story. Personification by having the "heart that fed" and relating legs to trunks to get a more defined image of the scene. There was also an ironic sense to the poem with the statue being in ruins but the pedestal claiming its glory.

Attitude and Shift The attitude was contemplative, yet critical. The poem causes the reader to make an opinion for themselves rather than there being a concrete theme. The most recognizable shift was placed before the traveler explains what was written on the pedestal. The reader finds a new perspective on why the statue is there and its purpose in the past. There is also a hyphen break to show a pause and causes the reader to focus on what is about to be said.

Romantic Period Connections Poem was written in 1817 in the frequently used sonnet format. Contains themes like beauty, expression, love, and imagination- all common themes of the period. Is mainly about a traveler, an example of curiosity and innocence in the Romantic period. The poem explains that art and language outlive political power. This could be seen as a questioning of authority. Nature seems to be the focus of the poem, like many Romantic literatures. Idea of monarchy and a kingdom relates to the time period because many people were ruled by a king.

History The historical context of the poem fits within the romantic period, published in early 1818. Historical period shown in poem: 1) Literature at that time promoted spiritual freedom, and Shelley's interest in egyptology and ancient ruins connects to the idea of adventure and freedom. 2) Politics were tied into art and literature a lot during this time period, Shelley's way of including the fall of Ozymandias power connects with the idea of including politics and power within his work. 3) The most common 'romantic' form of poetry were sonnets that usually included many rhyming words that made the poem flow in a romantic manner, which the poem had.

Percy Bysshe Shelley August 1792 – 8 July 1822 from a line of poets, his wife was the author of Frankenstein. Lived in England Famous for his classic romantic poems and visionary dramas. Percy was very intrigued with egyptology when he was growing up, he showed his interest in many of his other poems as well, like Alaster. His interest is shown in the poem with how the setting is in a desert with an egyptian statue. While growing up, Percy believed in vegetarianism, political radicalism, and sexual freedom. His interest in those subjects in included in this poem with how he connects his passion for politics with the fallen egyptian statue.

Discussion of Theme One main theme of Ozymandias is that political power is fleeting, the decline of all leaders and of the empires they build, however mighty they were in their own time. Another main theme is Hubris, which refers to extreme arrogance and pride. His only enemy was himself and his ego that led to his downfall.