Question

Respond in at least 5 sentences. The answer needs to be written in complete sentences. Include at least 1 quote from the poem “Ozymandias” by Percy Bysshe Shelley to earn full credit and support your response.

What is the effect and purpose of personification in the poem “Ozymandias” by Percy Bysshe Shelley?

Answer 1

Personification in the poem "Ozymandias" by Percy Bysshe Shelley serves to bring life and power to the statue of Ramses II, or Ozymandias. This effect is evident in lines such as "Two vast and trunkless legs of stone" which make the statue seem as though it is capable of standing on its own, even though it has been destroyed. By personifying the statue, Shelley highlights the arrogance and hubris of Ozymandias, emphasizing the transient nature of power and fame. The purpose of this personification is to remind readers of the impermanence of human achievements and the inevitability of decline, as evidenced by the statue's ruined state. This is captured in the lines, "Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!" which serve as a stark contrast to the desolate and empty landscape that surrounds the statue. The personification of Ozymandias ultimately underscores the futility of seeking immortality through material wealth and power, as even the most powerful rulers are ultimately humbled by time.