The traveler describes the ruins of a once great statue. The shattered face ("visage") of the statue is that of Ozymandias, also known as Ramses II. The face of the ruler is frowning, with a "wrinkled lip" and "sneer of cold command." The traveler notes that the sculptor understood the ruler's passions well. In other words, the sculptor knew how self-aggrandizing Ozymandias was in life. Therefore, the sculptor mocked him with the sneer. The sculptor...
The traveler describes the ruins of a once great statue. The shattered face ("visage") of the statue is that of Ozymandias, also known as Ramses II. The face of the ruler is frowning, with a "wrinkled lip" and "sneer of cold command." The traveler notes that the sculptor understood the ruler's passions well. In other words, the sculptor knew how self-aggrandizing Ozymandias was in life. Therefore, the sculptor mocked him with the sneer. The sculptor endeavored to portray Ozymandias as a tyrant. The wrinkled lip suggests that Ozymandias was condescending. The sneer of cold command suggests he was an unsympathetic ruler.
The message on the statue shows that Ozymandias wanted everyone in his lifetime and in subsequent eras to marvel at the statue and thereby marvel as his greatness. "Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!" Ozymandias was clearly a vain king, primarily concerned with solidifying his greatness in the minds of all who might come across his monument. The irony is that the statue became a ruin. Just as the monument has withered and eroded with time, so has Ozymandias' power to intimidate.
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