Ozymandias by P. B. Shelley

"Ozymandias" is a sonnet written by Percy Bysshe Shelley and published in 1818. It tells the story of a traveler who comes across the ruins of a statue in the desert, once dedicated to the great Pharaoh Ozymandias, who is now long gone and forgotten. Shelley's use of vivid and descriptive language transports the reader to the desert, allowing them to envision the decay and destruction of the statue. The poem also explores the theme of time and the inevitable decay of all things, including those that were once thought to be eternal.

What makes "Ozymandias" so powerful is the way in which Shelley presents his message. Instead of directly stating the theme, he allows the reader to come to the realization themselves through the description of the statue and the inscription on the pedestal. The final two lines of the poem are particularly haunting: "Nothing beside remains. Round the decay / Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare / The lone and level sands stretch far away." In my opinion, "Ozymandias" is a true masterpiece of English literature. It is a profound meditation on the transience of human power and a warning against the dangers of arrogance and hubris. It is a poem that continues to resonate with readers today and will continue to do so for generations to come.