Symbols in "Ozymandias"

Question 12: Point out and explain any symbols.

"Ozymandias" discussed a statue of a tyrant from Egypt. The author was very descriptive about the appearance of it. The current condition of the statue was very poor as expressed in lines 4 and 12-13.

"Half sunk, a shattered visage lies..."

"Nothing beside remains... the decay of that colossal wreck..."

The poor condition of the statue is symbolic of Ozymandias' overall reign over Egypt. The "decay of that colossal wreck" is signifying the destruction of Egypt that he caused to all the people he ruled over. He was very destructive to the Egyptian nation. Nothing remaining of the statue is symbolic of the fact that he took away all rights of the people. This could also be symbolic of how when he went out of power, nothing good remained of Egypt. He had "decayed" the entire country.