Percy Bysshe Shelley in this poem deals a lot with the idea of decay of power and art over time as well as the emptiness of pride in a long-term perspective, especially when considering the words on the “pedestal” of Ozymandias’ statue. It is clear that Shelley aims to introduce questions of time and its effect on pre-existing political regimes and ancient art, especially with “an antique land” mentioned in the opening line, a rather old civilization that has existed for, perhaps, several millennia. Shelley also presents the issue of whether or not gloating over great accomplishments is the right path to take, when he plays with the value of pride following the quoted terminology of the pedestal on Ozymandias’ statue. Also, with the imagery
