Talk:Ozymandias (Shelley)
I first read this poem in an anthology meant for a college course in poetic style/structure. The theme that overthrows Shelly's others in Ozymandias is the nature of transience and pride. Ironically, the poem is arrogant in and of itself; I felt upon first reading that Shelley was big for his britches if he believed that he could comment on the nature of transience. But, I found out, transience lasts forever. I picked up Jared Diamond's "Collapse" a few months later where the author draws together the poem and scenes from the American countryside. Ozymandias is now something of a stand up comedy act for me, lightening the everyday gloom that suggests what we have built around us is as important as it can possibly come. In such an age of waste where we demolish so much and save so little, I wonder if we will have so much as a pillar in a desert to a attest to our existence in 5,000 years?
- Wow! What a powerful comment on the nature of transience!
Tidbit: Ozymandias is the Greek name for Ramses II. Magiblade 21:31, 8 February 2006 (UTC)