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.
____________________________________________
ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:
1. Rewrite in your own words as prose the story this poem tells.
2-- According to the poem, king Ozymandias had the following wordswritten on his statue:
"Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!'
What message was this meant to tell the people of his time long ago?
3-- What message does the poem have in modern day for the author of the poem and the traveller who told him about the statue?
These comments may help you answer these questions.
http://www.sparknotes.com/poetry/shelley/section2.rhtml
We'll be glad to check your answers.
3-- According to the poem, king Ozymandias had the following wordswritten on his statue:
"Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!'
What message was this meant to tell the people of his time long ago?
1. The poem tells the story of a traveler who comes across a ruined statue in the desert. The statue is described as having two massive, decayed legs made of stone. Not far from the legs, there lies a broken face with a frowning expression, wrinkled lips, and a sneer of authority. The traveler suggested that the sculptor of the statue was skilled in capturing the essence of human emotions that still linger in these lifeless objects. On the pedestal of the statue, these words were inscribed: "My name is Ozymandias, king of kings: Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!" However, all that remains now is the broken statue and the vast, empty sands stretching into the distance.
2. According to the poem, the message conveyed by the inscription on the statue was meant to demonstrate Ozymandias' pride and arrogance. He wanted to showcase his achievements and power to the people of his time. The phrase "Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!" suggests that Ozymandias believed his accomplishments were unparalleled and that even the mighty should feel inferior and insignificant compared to him.
3. In modern times, the poem's message serves as a contemplation on the impermanence of power and the ephemeral nature of human achievements. It suggests that no matter how mighty or powerful a person may be, all things eventually crumble and turn to dust. The author of the poem and the traveler who shared the story are reminded of the transience of human existence and the fleeting impact we have on the world. It serves as a cautionary tale against arrogance and a reminder that even the most powerful figures will be forgotten in the sands of time.