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Ozymandias king of kings3/16/2023 ![]() ![]() Shelley had no time for gods, or God, either: indeed, he had been expelled from the University of Oxford for writing a pamphlet titled The Necessity of Atheism, which shows how radical such a belief (or rather lack of belief) was held to be in early nineteenth-century Britain. The phrase ‘King of Kings’ is associated with the Christian God, or more specifically with Jesus Christ: in the New Testament, the phrase is used in reference to Christ in the First Epistle to Timothy (6:15) and the Book of Revelation (twice – see 17:14, 19:11–16). Whether it was good or bad, he became the “King of Kings” and he had his face put onto a statue.Or perhaps for ‘King of Kings’ we should think not a God-anointed king but God himself (as Egyptian pharaohs like Rameses II were thought to be gods on earth). Ozymandias was certainly someone who impacted lives back in his time. The way the author transitioned between the narrators may be a bit confusing, but it still adds nice texture and effect. The three narrators and the strong words used in the poem gives the poem an interesting feelings. Ozymandias could also be the enemy, and he has taken over the kingdom, and he is now their new king who has conquered all the other kings. Ozymandias could be celebrating his victory by becoming king, and being known as the one who had led the people through the war. It could have been either his own, or the enemy, but he does not show much empathy to the people who had lost to him. There certainly has been war, Ozymandias says his words without care, showing that he may not care for the deceased who had died in the war. Round the decay Of that colossal Wreck, boundless and bare The lone and level sands stretch far away.” In the poem, Ozymandias says “nothing besides remains” and “round the decay”. “…whose frown, And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command,” “My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair! Nothing beside remains. Then when Ozymandias comes in, he seems to live up to the second narrator’s words, showing a harsh personality and Ozymandias is cold with his words. The visage obviously did not make the people smile. When the second narrator comes in, they use colder and harsher words. The second and third narrator definitely stand out. All three of the narrators seem to have their own personality, though we don’t get much from the first narrator. He claims to have the highest title, being the King of the Kings. “My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings ” is what Ozymandias had said when he introduced himself. “Half sunk a shattered visage lies, whose frown, and wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command.” The second narrator spoke this, giving the reader a good picture. “I met a traveller from an antique land.” This quote is what the first narrator had said, not giving much information. The third narrator is Ozymandias himself, speaking with power and authority. ![]() The second narrator describes Ozymandias’s visage, and describes the cold look the visage has. After that, the second narrator comes in. The first narrator is unknown, but they say they met a traveller who said something. Throughout the story, there are three different narrators who speak. Ozymandias seems to be a strong person, who is far too over confident and believes he has much more power than what he actually has. The reader gets the idea that he is not a good leader, and that he is a dictator. “…And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command.” The way the narrator describes the visage may make the reader feel bad that this king teaches fear. He may be standing on his balcony, giving a speech to all the men who follow him. The way the poem describes the visage with a sneer and a cold command gives the reader a good image of how this statue of the king may look. It suggests why the other narrator may fear his visage, and why they are afraid of him. He may be a cruel king who teaches fear to discipline. He may believe the people who are below him shall worship him, and listen to his commands. This quote helps the reader understand his belief in the power he has, who he believes he rules all. “My name is Ozymandias, King of King Looks on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!” This is a sentence used from the poem, though he is royalty or not, he certainly believes so. He seems to be a cold king who sneers and scowls. Ozymandias gets introduced as the third narrator, and the poem obviously displays his highness. ![]()
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