The rhyme scheme of ‘Ozymandias’ is ABABACDC EDEFEF. Structurally all sonnets contain fourteen lines and are written in iambic pentameter. ‘Ozymandias’ is considered to be a Petrarchan sonnet, even though the rhyme scheme varies slightly from the traditional sonnet form. He utilizes an allusion to a powerful ruler in ancient Egypt to show that even someone so all-powerful will eventually fall. This metaphor is made even more commanding in the poem by Shelley’s use of an actual ruler. The desert represents the fall of all empires - nothing powerful and rich can ever stay that strong forever. The statue, however, still boasts of the accomplishments this civilization had in the past. All around the traveler is desert - nothing is green or growing the land is barren. ![]() ‘Ozymandias’ carries an extended metaphor throughout the entire poem. He describes his sneer as having a “cold command.” Even though the leader was probably very great, it seems that the only thing that survives from his realm is this statue, which is half-buried and somewhat falling apart. ![]() He can tell that the sculptor must have known his subject well because it is obvious from the statue’s face that this man was a great leader, but one who could also be very vicious. There, he saw a large and intimidating statue of Ramses in the desert. ![]() In the story, he describes visiting Egypt. The traveler tells a story to the speaker. He was a great and terrible pharaoh in ancient Egypt. In this poem, the speaker describes meeting a traveler “from an antique land.” The title, ‘Ozymandias,’ notifies the reader that this land is most probably Egypt since Ozymandias was what the Greeks called Ramses II. Shelley describes a traveler’s reaction to the half-buried, worn-out statue of the great pharaoh, Ramses II.
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