Assignment: the Mighty and Ozymandias
ENG1501: Foundations in English Literary Studies
Assignment 1
Ozymandias was a powerful king, who ruled with an iron fist. Lines 4 and 5, “Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown”, “And wrinkled lip and sneer of cold command” shows that Ozymandias ruled with contempt, dominance and conceit. He was a very unhappy man, not forthcoming or humble in any way, as a true king should be. He was however, filled with pride and arrogance. Lines 10 and 11, “My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings: Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!” depicts his pride and vanity. The manner in which these lines are written, in the first voice, as if Ozymandias himself is telling us of his importance, one last time. In these 2 lines, he is boasting about all his accomplishments, wealth and successes, which accompanied being a king. These lines show that he believed that he was the greatest, and none superior to him.
“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 sculptor clearly showed Ozymandias personality and passions on his statue. Even though Ozymandias thought his would rule forever, everything becomes lifeless with time. And the manner in which he ruled was clearly shown on his half decayed and dismantled statue. Human ambition will only take you that far, it’s what you leave behind that truly matters. The words “passions” and “lifeless” are placed close together, because your passions and desires are supposed to keep you alive and happy, yet Ozymandias’ passions of despair survived on a lifeless statue.
“The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed”. From what I can tell, the sculptor disapproved of the king’s way of ruling and ridiculed him, but yet he had to create him in stone to be remembered by all. The irony concerning lines 10 and 11 is that Ozymandias will not be remembered as a
Assignment 1
Ozymandias was a powerful king, who ruled with an iron fist. Lines 4 and 5, “Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown”, “And wrinkled lip and sneer of cold command” shows that Ozymandias ruled with contempt, dominance and conceit. He was a very unhappy man, not forthcoming or humble in any way, as a true king should be. He was however, filled with pride and arrogance. Lines 10 and 11, “My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings: Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!” depicts his pride and vanity. The manner in which these lines are written, in the first voice, as if Ozymandias himself is telling us of his importance, one last time. In these 2 lines, he is boasting about all his accomplishments, wealth and successes, which accompanied being a king. These lines show that he believed that he was the greatest, and none superior to him.
“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 sculptor clearly showed Ozymandias personality and passions on his statue. Even though Ozymandias thought his would rule forever, everything becomes lifeless with time. And the manner in which he ruled was clearly shown on his half decayed and dismantled statue. Human ambition will only take you that far, it’s what you leave behind that truly matters. The words “passions” and “lifeless” are placed close together, because your passions and desires are supposed to keep you alive and happy, yet Ozymandias’ passions of despair survived on a lifeless statue.
“The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed”. From what I can tell, the sculptor disapproved of the king’s way of ruling and ridiculed him, but yet he had to create him in stone to be remembered by all. The irony concerning lines 10 and 11 is that Ozymandias will not be remembered as a