๐Ÿ“šap english literature review

"Ozymandias"

Written by the Fiveable Content Team โ€ข Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโ€ขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โ€ข Last updated September 2025

Definition

"Ozymandias" is a sonnet written by Percy Bysshe Shelley that explores themes such as power, pride, and the inevitable decline of empires. It tells the story of an ancient king whose grandiose statue lies broken and forgotten in the desert.