Shelley's Ozymandias is an Italian sonnet that describes the contrast between the past glory and the present decayed condition of a mighty king of ancient Egypt. The sonnet is a poem of 14 lines divided into a octave of the first eight lines and sestet (the next six lines) usually a sonnet is subjective in tone, but in Ozymandias Shelley treats the theme in an objective manner. It is in the form of a report of a traveler from an ancient land. The poet met his and he tells about a gigantic statue of Ozymandias. Trunkless it had only two huge legs which stood in the desert. Nearby lay a broken head with a frown on its face. The lips were wrinkled showing contempt. The sculptor had captured the violent passions of the king on his face most vividly. The king in his lifetime had challenged everyone, even gods. He was so proud. But now nothing remains. All his glory and power are reduced to dust only the vast desolate desert remains.Audio Books
Shelley's sonnet Ozymandias is a bitter commentary on the human vanity and the transitory nature of wealth, power and pomp. Te puny nature of man is contrasted with the immensity of Nature. The King Ozymandias was so proud of his power that he challenged even gods. His statue was huge. The sculptor who made it had captured the frown on his face so vividly. The lips were twisted expressing contempt to all others. The king had asked the sculptor to write on the pedestal of the statue these words.
My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings. Look on my works Ye Mighty, and despair! It was evident that Ozymandias believed that no one could equal his power and glory. The poet now suddenly brings in a terrible contrast 'Nothing beside remains'. Even such a mighty king couldn't survive the ravages of time. He is forgotten. Even the huge statue is ruined only the vast desert lies stretching to the great distance mocking human vanity, glory and pomp. Audio Books
