Ozymandias and Frankenstein Comparison Essay Example

A colossal statue lying wasted in the sand. A terrifying beast wreaking havoc across a village. These are the images born out of the minds of Percy Bysshe Shelley and his wife, Mary Shelley, respectively. They are perhaps one of the most prolific writing couples in history. Throughout their lives, they wrote profound stories and poetry that would revolutionize the literary world. In one story, Percy Shelley writes about a massive statue of an ancient pharaoh that lies covered in the very ground it was built upon. In the other, Mary Shelley writes about a doctor who creates a new life form using the body parts of various cadavers; but is soon destroyed by its immense power. In each story, the authors write of how characters were eradicated by forces greater than they had ever seen. These stories not only haunted the readers who first laid eyes on them, but still have a sagacious influence on audiences today. Nearly any reader can dissect these fantastical stories and come out with a multitude of themes. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and Percy Bysshe Shelley’s “Ozymandias” both use creative elements to convey their message that Mother Nature prevails over humanity. They accomplish this feat through each giving vivid imagery of their colossal characters, their titular characters’ ultimate demise, and both works’ social commentary on mankind’s role in the world.

First, both of the Shelleys incorporate striking images into their narratives. Their descriptions of these seemingly larger-than-life characters and the profound impact that they have on the entire story really set the tone for their overarching messages. In “Ozymandias,” a traveler describes to the narrator that, “‘Two vast and trunkless legs of stone / Stand in the desert’” (Shelley, 1818, lines 2-3). Starting out, Percy Shelley pulls the reader into the story by describing the size of this massive figure and the vast land that it stands in. It leaves the reader wondering what this creature is. The reader’s imagination is running wild. The traveler goes on to note, “Half sunk a shattered visage lies, whose frown, / And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command, / Tell that its sculptor well those passions read / Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things, / The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed” (Shelley, 1818, lines 4-8). This unnamed traveler continues his description of this immense and intimidating statue that comes more to life after each line. The poem makes note that whoever the sculptor was that created this massive piece wanted to strike fear in the hearts of all who beheld it. Similarly, Mary Shelley uses this graphic approach in Frankenstein. In the novel, the titular Dr. Frankenstein attempts to defy death by assembling a new species from various body parts and chemicals of his own creation. The final product is one of genuine horror. The narrator remarks, “A flash of lightning illuminated the object, and discovered its shape plainly to me; its gigantic stature, and the deformity of its aspect, more hideous than belongs to humanity, instantly informed that it was the wretch, the filthy demon to whom I had given life” (Shelley, 1818, p. 60). The doctor describes during a storm how the creature of his own creation sent fear all throughout his body. The creature’s aura gave off one of pure terror and is imbedded in the mind of the reader. Both of these stories use evocative details to bring into focus the caliber of Nature’s power over the world. They also show how even with these monumental creatures, Nature still dominates.

Next, each story conveys the strength of Nature over Creature. Both stories note how any flame of creation by a human will eventually be extinguished. In Frankenstein, the namesake doctor is ultimately destroyed by his own creation. In the final chapter of Mary Shelley’s (1818) novel, Victor dies aboard a ship bound for the North Pole while running from the monster he created (p. 191). After first developing the creature that he devoted all of his soul into, he is disgusted by his failure and spends the latter part of his life trying to escape it. In “Ozymandias,” the great statue of the ancient pharaoh is eventually covered in sand. The traveler notes, “Nothing beside remains. Round the decay / Of that colossal Wreck, boundless and bare / The lone and level sands stretch far away” (Shelley, 1818, lines 12-14). Percy Bysshe Shelley describes the scene surrounding this hulking statue. He notes that the statue is lying wasted in the sand and not standing tall in its former glory. There are no remnants of the fear this statue instilled in people. It now lies concealed in the embers of its former glory. Both stories show the all-encompassing power and resilience that Mother Nature possesses. In Frankenstein, when Victor tries to defy the laws of Mother Nature through experimental science, he is met with horrible consequences. In “Ozymandias,” this colossal statue that once stood tall and domineering over the ancient world now lies shattered in the sands of time. These stories serve as powerful reminders of the authority that Mother Nature holds. In addition, they act as social reflections on the part that humanity plays in the world. 

Lastly, each work acts as a message about the role that humans play in the grand scheme of life. The stories show that through all the influence humans may have, they still play second fiddle to Mother Nature. In “Ozymandias,” Percy Bysshe Shelley proves his point by making an allusion to ancient history. Ozymandias was a pharaoh who is considered to be one of the greatest rulers in all of ancient Egypt. One of the reasons was for his “extensive building programs and for the many colossal statues of him found all over Egypt” (Dorman, 2021, para. 1). Ozymandias was a ruler who wanted people to know how amazing and powerful he was. Shelley notes this in the poem when the scripture on the statue states, “Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair” (Shelley, 1818, line 11). The ruler in this poem wants all those who look upon this statue to marvel at how amazing he is. But alas, after thousands of years, he too fell victim to Mother Nature. His empire did not stand the test of time and now it lies covered in sand. In Frankenstein, Dr. Frankenstein believed he could disregard Mother Nature by creating the monster, but it backfired on him in the worst possible way. Mother Nature’s revenge would soon consume him and leave him broken. The social commentary born out of these stories serves as a reality check to audiences that no matter how influential they think they are, they will never be able to stand up to Mother Nature.

Overall, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and Percy Bysshe Shelley’s “Ozymandias” showcase the inescapable fact that Mother Nature is the true being at the top of the food chain. This inevitable concept is displayed through each author’s detailed imagery of their colossal characters, their titular character’s eventual destruction, and their philosophical reflections of man’s role in the natural world. These works are excellent representations of both the beauty and ruthlessness that Mother Nature holds. They are also humbling in the idea that humans are depicted as minute opponents to their elements. While it may be a gloomy thought, it is a simple fact that once humans have gone extinct, the world will still be here. It will not go into the dark; it will march on through the winds of time and soldier through the obstacles in its path. It is a reality check to readers and audiences that their influences on the world are microscopic in comparison to the behemoth that is Mother Nature.