'Ozymandias' by Percy Bysshe Shelley: Analysis

It's time for more poetry analysis! This time it's Percy Bysshe Shelley's sonnet "Ozymandias", which is more revolutionary than it sounds at first.

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[wyokid]

I really appreciate your poetry appreciation lectures. Along with you Shakespeare lectures they are definitely my favorites.

[jethroburns]

Thanks very much for this. Please post more often, as your articles are so very enlightening and enjoyable.

[theculturedbumpkin]

I really like this poem, and I really enjoyed your analysis of this. Subscribed!

[bexelh]

This is an excellent analysis! Just a couple things I wanted to add. Ozymandias does refer to Ramses II, but it is the Greek adaptation of his regnal name: wsr-mꜣꜥt-rꜥ stp.n-rꜥ, (Usermaatre Setenepre). The title "King of kings" is more associated with rulers in what we now know as Iraq, Iran, and India than it is with Egypt. Egyptian pharaohs framed their power around their relationship to their gods--especially Re/Ra (which relates to Setenepre--"Chosen of Re"). So, it's interesting that Shelley is mixing at least a couple of ancient civilizations (Egypt, Persia)--possibly three, if you think that "colossal wreck" is also meant to reference the Colossus of Rhodes!

[davidallhusen]

Poetry analysis is always so enlightening. Very well done in capturing the fleeting nature of power and the ultimate entropy of kingdoms. Enjoyed.

[kevinfreeman]

Wow, very informative! Great video, thank you

[nickmembrez]

I always took "the hand that mocked them" to belong to the sculptor, as in, making this statue they were mocking an infamous figure with the frown and the sneer.

[JohnSaxon-vwvi]

Even though I am not going to school 🏫 and 50 years old I really want you to do more of these amazing videos please stay safe and healthy and prayers and blessings for you and your family love your Aussie family friend John ❤❤❤i am going to look back at your old videos too

[jimpickard]

Definitely one of my all time favourite poems, but that line 'The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed' has always bothered me. More elaboration on it's meaning from anybody would be great.

[emmitstewart]

Jesus never took or responded to the title king of kings. It was applied to him over a thousand years after his birth. The only titles he acknowledged during his lifetime were teacher (Magister) and rabbi.