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I met a traveller from an antique land,
Who said-“Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the desert... Near them, on the sand,
Half sunk a shattered visage lies, whose frown,
And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command,
Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,
The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed;
And on the pedestal, these words appear:
My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings;
Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal Wreck, boundless and bare
The lone and level sands stretch far away."
"Ozymandias" is one of the most famous sonnets by the English Romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, first published in 1818. The poem reflects on the transient nature of power and the inevitable decline of even the mightiest empires.
The sonnet describes a traveller's account of a ruined statue in the desert, once depicting a great ruler named Ozymandias. All that remains are shattered fragments and a pedestal with an ironic inscription boasting of the ruler's power. The contrast between the boastful words and the desolate surroundings powerfully illustrates the poem's central theme: the ephemeral nature of human power and achievement in the face of time.
Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792-1822) was a key figure of the second generation of Romantic poets, alongside John Keats and Lord Byron. Known for his lyrical and philosophical poetry, Shelley's work often explored themes of political idealism, the beauty of nature, and the human condition. His life was marked by controversy, radical politics, and personal tumult.
Shelley's other notable works include "Ode to the West Wind," "To a Skylark," and the long-form poem "Prometheus Unbound." Despite his short life-he died at age 29 in a boating accident-Shelley left a lasting impact on English literature and is considered one of the finest lyric poets in the language.
"Ozymandias" exemplifies Shelley's skill in using vivid imagery and concise language to convey profound ideas. The poem's enduring popularity speaks to its universal theme and the timeless quality of Shelley's verse.
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