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Ozymandias (Smith) Poem Analysis

Echoes of Impermanence: Analyzing "Ozymandias (Smith)"Introduction

"Ozymandias" is a sonnet written by Horace Smith, published in 1818 as part of a friendly competition with fellow poet Percy Bysshe Shelley. Although less well-known than Shelley's eponymous poem, Smith's "Ozymandias" similarly explores themes of the impermanence of human achievements, the passage of time, and the ultimate insignificance of power. In this article, we will analyze the themes, structure, and language of Smith's "Ozymandias," and examine how it echoes the sentiments of its more famous counterpart.

Theme: The Impermanence of Human Achievements

Like Shelley's version, Smith's "Ozymandias" centers on the theme of the impermanence of human achievements, particularly those related to power and pride. The poem presents the reader with a vision of a ruined statue of a once-mighty king, whose works have been reduced to rubble by the passage of time:

"In Egypt's sandy silence, all alone,

Stands a gigantic Leg, which far off throws

The only shadow that the Desart knows:—" (lines 1-3)

These lines emphasize the ephemerality of Ozymandias's power, as his once-great empire is now nothing more than a desolate wasteland. The poem serves as a reminder that all human accomplishments, no matter how grand, will ultimately be erased by time.

Structure: The Sonnet Form

Smith's "Ozymandias" follows the traditional structure of a sonnet, consisting of 14 lines with a rhyme scheme of ABABCDCDEFEFGG. This form is particularly apt for a poem exploring themes of impermanence and the passage of time, as sonnets have long been associated with these subjects. The poem's structure allows Smith to present a vivid image of the ruined statue and its surroundings, and then draw a comparison to contemporary London in the final couplet:

"Of London's faded Elegance, so shares

The Tower of Victory, the Strand's bravuras!" (lines 13-14)

These lines highlight the transience of power and achievement, suggesting that even the great city of London will one day succumb to the ravages of time.

Language and Imagery: The Fading Glory of Ozymandias

Smith's use of language and imagery in "Ozymandias" is both evocative and poignant, painting a vivid picture of the statue's decay and the ultimate futility of human ambition:

"Where on the fragment hung the bruised nose,

Whose dead trunk scorns the adoring herd below?" (lines 7-8)

These lines underscore the irony of the statue's ruined state, as the once-powerful Ozymandias is now reduced to a mere "bruised nose" on a fragment of stone. The poem's language serves to emphasize the fleeting nature of power and the ultimate insignificance of human achievements.

Conclusion

Horace Smith's "Ozymandias" is a thought-provoking exploration of the impermanence of human achievements and the passage of time. Through its traditional sonnet structure, evocative language, and poignant imagery, the poem serves as a powerful reminder that all human accomplishments, no matter how grand, are destined to fade away. While it may be overshadowed by Shelley's more famous work, Smith's "Ozymandias" stands as a compelling meditation on the transient nature of power and the importance of cultivating values that transcend the material world.