Comment on the author’s position and the tone of the poem. Alfred Tennyson’s (1809-92) “Lullaby” (1847) is a tender and comforting poem....Continue
My Name is Ozymandias, King of Kings;
Explain the following:
“My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings;
Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!”
In the poem “Ozymandias” (1822) by Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792-1822), the lines “My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings; Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!” show the pride and arrogance of a powerful king. These words are written on the pedestal of a broken statue in the desert. The king, Ozymandias, wanted everyone to see how powerful he was. He wanted to show that no one could be greater than him.
The phrase “King of Kings” means that Ozymandias thought of himself as the greatest ruler of all. He believed his empire and achievements were so powerful that no one could ever surpass them. He thought his greatness would last forever. However, time has shown how wrong he was.
The words “Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!” were meant to make others feel small in comparison. The king believed that seeing his great works would make other powerful rulers feel hopeless. But now, in the poem, all that remains of his “works” are ruins in the desert. His kingdom has vanished, and his statue is broken. There is nothing left to show his greatness.
This shows the idea that no matter how powerful a person is, nothing lasts forever. Time destroys all things, and even the greatest rulers can be forgotten. The poem reminds us to be humble, because pride can lead to downfall.