Osymandias by Percy Bysshe Shelly is one of the best poems I have read and analyzed during my first year in college. How it relates with the struggle of power from the beginning of time. The poem uses three levels of narration to get its meaning through. The three different story tellers are the traveler, the statue, and finally the king’s voice.
The use of verbs help the reader understand what the statue goes through. “Half-sunk, a shattered vessel lies,” demonstrates the power of the statue when the King was in control. Since the statue is half sunk now, it represents the power lost by the king. The kingdom went to ruins just as he ruled over the sand now.
“My name is Ozymandias, king of kings,” the voice gives the king power which he once possessed. The last couplet tells the reader that the king is nothing more than a mere half sunk statue. The fight for power will continue.
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3 comments:
I feel that it is amazing that Shelly is able to combined three layers of narration within such a short poem. This complex style is something that I find very thought provoking and a cunning way to tell a story.
Ozymandias is a great depiction of the effect of the power struggle, and the power vacuum. Shelly speaks on the humanities limitless need for power. I agree with you, Ozymandius is one of the better poems that I have read. Nice choice for a free response Haddy.
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