Compare how two poets present ideas of power in Ozymandias and another poem in the [Power and Conflict] anthology

In “Ozymandias,” Percy Bysshe Shelley presents the idea of power as fleeting and ultimately futile through the image of a ruined statue of an ancient ruler, Ozymandias. The speaker describes the statue as a “vast and trunkless legs of stone” that lie in the desert, surrounded by “nothing beside remains.” This image conveys the idea that even the most powerful rulers will eventually be forgotten and reduced to ruins, highlighting the transience of power. Additionally, the inscription on the pedestal of the statue, “Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!” is ironic because the only thing that remains of Ozymandias’s power is the ruined statue, emphasizing the futility of his efforts to establish his power.

In contrast, William Blake presents the idea of power as oppressive and pervasive in “London.” The speaker describes the “chartered” streets of London, where the “youthful harlot” and the “new-born infant” are subject to the same oppression and suffering as the “hapless soldier” and the “marriage hearse.” This image conveys the idea that power is not just held by rulers and leaders, but is also institutionalized and pervasive in society, affecting individuals at all levels. The repetition of the word “every” emphasizes the universality of the suffering caused by power and underscores the idea that power can be oppressive and inescapable.

Overall, while Shelley’s “Ozymandias” presents the idea of power as fleeting and ultimately futile, Blake’s “London” presents the idea of power as pervasive and oppressive, affecting individuals at all levels of society.