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Night Stalker · 05-21-2003, 08:35 PM

Been a long while since I analyzed Shelly. But he was one of the Romantic Poets, and this poem fits into the style that they are charactorized by (can't remember them at the moment). That does not mean that the poem is romantic as we would call it today.

The poem is about contrast, power, immortality. Notice the stark description of face of the broken statue. Notice the imagry of the whole poem.

"I am Ozymandias, King of kings!
Look upon my works, ye mighty and despair!"

This is an arrogent powerful leader. He beckons all around to behold his accomplishments. Yet, to the passage of Time, they have all withered to dust and are insignificant to everything around it, just another grain of sand in the desert.

Imagery, is one of the qualities of the Romantic Poets (Shelly, Keats, Byron, and a few others). They use words to paint pictures and overlay them against deep philosophy.

[edit] Also note, as Att pointed out the contrast between the sculptor and the King. None of Ozymandias' works have survived his death or Time, but the annonymous artist, that captured the mein of his leige so well, has achieved the immortality that the King thought he had. The King claimed to be great and mighty, yet he is painted petty and cruel and broken before all of eternity.
[/edit]

Hope this gets you started.
When you get a chance, watch Dead Poets Society. They call quite abit attention to the Romantics.

[ 05-21-2003, 08:49 PM: Message edited by: Night Stalker ]

05-21-2003, 08:35 PM	#3
Night Stalker Lord Ao Join Date: June 24, 2002 Location: Nevernever Land Age: 51 Posts: 2,002	Been a long while since I analyzed Shelly. But he was one of the Romantic Poets, and this poem fits into the style that they are charactorized by (can't remember them at the moment). That does not mean that the poem is romantic as we would call it today. The poem is about contrast, power, immortality. Notice the stark description of face of the broken statue. Notice the imagry of the whole poem. "I am Ozymandias, King of kings! Look upon my works, ye mighty and despair!" This is an arrogent powerful leader. He beckons all around to behold his accomplishments. Yet, to the passage of Time, they have all withered to dust and are insignificant to everything around it, just another grain of sand in the desert. Imagery, is one of the qualities of the Romantic Poets (Shelly, Keats, Byron, and a few others). They use words to paint pictures and overlay them against deep philosophy. [edit] Also note, as Att pointed out the contrast between the sculptor and the King. None of Ozymandias' works have survived his death or Time, but the annonymous artist, that captured the mein of his leige so well, has achieved the immortality that the King thought he had. The King claimed to be great and mighty, yet he is painted petty and cruel and broken before all of eternity. [/edit] Hope this gets you started. When you get a chance, watch Dead Poets Society. They call quite abit attention to the Romantics. [ 05-21-2003, 08:49 PM: Message edited by: Night Stalker ] __________________ [url]\"http://www.duryea.org/pinky/gurkin.wav\" target=\"_blank\">AYPWIP?</a> .... <img border=\"0\" alt=\"[1ponder]\" title=\"\" src=\"graemlins/1ponder.gif\" /> <br />\"I think so Brain, but isn\'t a cucumber that small called a gherkin?\"<br /><br />Shut UP! Pinky!