Ozymandi-what? A Reading, Summary, and Analysis of Shelley's "Ozymandias"

Ozymandias is a narrative sonnet about a traveler who found a broken statue of Ozymandias in the dessert. While initially quite confusing, the the poem shows Percy Shelley at his best: bringing low the ambitious dictators of the world.
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.”
- 1818
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[@Ligierthegreensun]

Probably my favorite poem of all time. No matter how great people have thought themselves, eventually, all that's left of all their mighty works is sand. A very humbling momento mori.

[@MyelinProductions]

'Ozymandias' was the Greek name of 'Pharaoh Ramses II'. The colossal monument to the apparently self-styled 'King of Kings' has shattered, illustrating the precarious, transitory nature of his power. Ramses II = 1303 BC - 1213 BC (aged 90-91) {Reign: 1279-1213 BC}. Ramesses II is the most popular candidate, the most likely, for Pharaoh of The Holy Bible in the Book of Exodus, who dealt with Moses and GOD defeated. ~ The Image of "declaring you are the greatest" and then have nothing to show for it fits well and is the "moral lesson" of the poem. No one, not even a self-proclaimed "great king" is above GOD. ~ Thank You - Be Safe out there folks - Peace & Health to Us All.

[@SlurpeeBoy9999]

I've always had a very different view of the poem: Ozymandias is immortalized by the very poem that is trying to "humble" him. Every retelling ensures his name lives on in the ages, far beyond any of his contemporaries. Who among us can name any of the other kings who reigned during his time?

[@iamabigfantom8421]

I have a literature exam tomorrow and unfortunately I wasn't able to pay attention in classes, I expected to see another boring explanation with words I dont understand but this is really impressive, I was easily able to understand, thanks man

[@numbernine5044]

The poem definitely says something about the power of mankind and how it is inherently destructive/evil/terrifying and those enslaved to it will eventually find freedom from it.

[@hibernicus5685]

What's complicated?

[@JackOpulski]

Another pop culture reference, when you research Construction in Civ 4. If you want to hear a piece of this poem read by Leonard Nimoy

[@fotuoh]

Really great video - English is my third language so I struggle with it every now and then, but your explanation was fascinating, easy to follow, and full of interesting details. Thank you Oxford Comma!

[@drew63215]

It was recited again in a recent movie, where the guy was a cripple and Liam Neesom was like a carnival guy that traveled from town to town. It had a shocking twist though.

[@ClAsSiCtUrKiSh]

Thank you for this analysis. Keep these analysis comming, really appreciate them

[@DownhillAllTheWay]

I have known this poem all my life, but I didn't know that Ozymandias was a pharaoh. I thought he was probably fictional.

[@andrewtaylor6795]

Fantastic poem. Really hits home how temporary any power is. Empires rise and fall and always will.

[@TheLostODST]

I read 'mocked' in this poem differently, it follows after the description of a cold and hard man.

[@destresschiropractic]

Great break down of the poem with historical references. Thank you!!

[@derycktrahair8108]

"I am the Greatest" & all there is left is a pair of legs. It was Ego & showing off? Thanks for sharing your ideas. You are a good teacher.

[@aryansingh7328]

Thanks for putting up this video. I was quite intrigued by this poem after watching the movie watchmen which led to searching for the full version of the poem and here I am, finding this video immensely helpful in understanding the meaning behind it ! Many thanks 🙏

[@cobaltfalcon9458]

I love this poem. Easily my favorite. The pure imagery that comes from the text is the strongest in my mind. Using the destroyed statue to represent the entirety of a kingdom, fallen and forgotten, and the sands of the desert to create the feeling of the passage of time since that kingdom's fall. Not to mention the hubris of a ruler, with just the statue. God, I love it

[@AbiShafi]

I first came across this poem while reading George R R Martin’s Fevre Dream way back in 80’s, probably one of the best vampire stories ever. I think what was being referred to was that nothing is permanent and everything including civilisations will eventually turn to dust!

[@meditationandnature2500]

Poetically articulated and with such grace and finess... Fell in love with this analysis... Lots of love and respect from my side...

[@Posmeallie]

One of Breaking Band’s best episodes