In the Poem Whose Hand Mocked Them?

Ozymandias. "The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed." Whose hand and heart has the poet referred to in this line? The poet refers to the hand of the sculptor and the heart of the king Ozymandias.

Who is mocked in the poem Ozymandias?

The “hand that mocked them” (meaning the passions depicted on the shattered visage) is the sculptor's hand – the sculptor was “mocking” the passions (with a play on the two meanings of the word “mocked” – “copied” them and “ridiculed” them); the “heart that fed them” is the heart of the ruthless tyrant himself, ...

What does the hand that mocked them mean in Ozymandias?

He had a "hand that mocked them," meaning that his hand was merciless and cruel toward his subjects. He had a "heart that fed." This suggests that he was an oppressor; he took from his subjects more than he gave to them.

David Miller

David Miller

Executive Financial & Market Analyst

David Miller brings 15 years of experience in global economics, personal finance strategy, and market dynamics. He specializes in turning complex economic trends into actionable insights for everyday readers.