The theme of the poem, “Ozymandias” by Percy Bysshe Shelly, is if people challenge God, God will punish and humiliate those people to show other people what would happen if they challenge God, and this theme is portrayed with a serious tone. When the archaeologist describes the face of stone, he says, “Half sunk, a shattered visage lies.” (L4) The author uses the word “shattered” instead of “cracked” or similar words to imply that the tone is serious about the wrath of God when the people challenge or defy Him. After the archaeologist describes the statue in one long sentence, he says, “Nothing beside remains.” (L12) This simple sentence perfects the serious tone after the long sentence by clearly stating the result of Ozymandias’ challenge
