Introduction
In exploring Percy Bysshe Shelley’s “Ozymandias” and Robert Browning’s “My Last Duchess,” the paper delves into the complex web of human pride, power dynamics, and the ephemeral nature of heritage. It offers profoundly moving insights into the complexities of ambition, revealing the inevitable progression of time that transforms even the most powerful into remnants of bygone history.
Ozymandias’s Hypothetical Response to His Crumbling Statue
If Ozymandias could witness the current state of his crumbling statue, he would likely experience a complex range of emotions. The lines inscribed on the pedestal, “My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings; Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!” reflect a proud and boastful ruler. However, given the stark contrast between the pomposity of his words and the desolation surrounding the ruins, Ozymandias might be humbled (Shelley, n.d.).
The shattered visage, marked by a “frown, and wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command,” reveals a ruler’s belief in the permanence of his power (Shelley, n.d.). The phrase “Nothing beside remains” conveys profound loss and the ephemeral nature of worldly achievements. In this hypothetical context, Ozymandias might confront humility, recognizing time’s erosion of both the physical monument and the memory of his reign. The vast, bare sands surrounding the ruins underscore the insignificance of his once-mighty kingdom in the vast expanse of eternity, prompting contemplation on the futility of pride and the transient nature of human accomplishments.
My Emotional Response to “Ozymandias”
Upon reading Percy Bysshe Shelley’s “Ozymandias,” I was overwhelmed by a profound melancholy and contemplation. The poem’s vivid imagery of a crumbling statue in a deserted land produced a complex collection of emotions within me. The depiction of a once-mighty ruler reduced to a shattered visage in the vast, barren landscape invoked a deep sadness.
As I immersed myself in the lines, the comparison of Ozymandias’ bragging inscription – “My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings; Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!” – with the stark reality of the surrounding decay struck me with a poignant irony (Shelley, n.d.). The poet skillfully reveals the transience of human glory, emphasizing time’s erosion of even the grandest monuments. The empty desert surrounding the massive ruin symbolizes how power and human legacies are temporary, creating a lasting feeling of humility. It softly reminds us that time turns everything into forgotten remnants.
Profound thoughts on the pointlessness of human endeavors and the briefness of life marked this emotional reaction. The poem’s brief yet impactful verses led to introspection on life’s impermanence and the certainty of being engulfed by the passage of time.
The Duke’s Rationale in “My Last Duchess”
The Duke tells the story of his “last Duchess” to assert control and emphasize his expectations from his future wife. He presents a portrait of the Duchess as a woman easily pleased, too appreciative of simple gestures, and lacking the discernment to distinguish between different expressions of admiration (Browning, n.d.). The Duke’s recounting is not a mere historical anecdote but a calculated performance to influence the marriage negotiations.
The Duke’s rationale reflects his quest for a submissive wife, acknowledging his affluence without challenging his authority. Emphasizing the Duchess’s perceived flaws and her failure to comprehend the exclusivity of his favor, the Duke seeks to mold the listener’s perception and secure compliance from a potential new spouse (Browning, n.d.). His need for control is evident in detailing events leading to the Duchess’s demise, revealing resentment towards her simple joys and impartial affection. The orchestrated cessation of her smiles underscores the Duke’s possessiveness and intolerance for perceived challenges to his stature.
Conclusion
Shelley and Browning, through hypothetical reflection and possessive narrative, leave echoes of forgotten empires. Their poetic masterpieces resonate with enduring lessons of impermanence, prompting contemplation on the transience of grand ambitions amid the relentless march of time.
References
Shelley, B. (n.d.). Ozymandias by Percy Bysshe Shelley | Poetry Foundation. Web.
Browning, R. (n.d.). My Last Duchess by Robert Browning | Poetry Foundation. Web.