Ozmandias Flashcards
Who was ozmandias
Ruler who abused his power
What nature is the poem discussing
Transcient nature of human man - nothing left of his “works” and even the statue has collapsed
What does Shelley use irony to highlight
He uses irony to highlight the contrast between ozymandias belief in his own power and the reality that all his achievements are significant compared to the boundless desert
Context
Shelley was a 2nd generation romantic poet. Shelley disliked monarchies, absolute power and the oppression of ordinary people .
What does the title signifies
“Ozy” stands for “ozium “ in Greek meaning to breathe and “mandias” comes from mandate meaning to rule . This title suggests power and control
Form
Sonnet with a Volta on line 9 . Doesn’t follow a regular sonnet rhyme scheme, reflecting that human power and structures can be destroyed. Uses iambic pentameter which is often disrupted
Structure
Poem ends by describing the enormous desert , which helps to sun up the insignificance of the statue
Quotes
Shatter’d visage
Sneer of cold command
What does the quotes survive and lifeless hint
How art can outlast human power, but the ruined statue shows that ultimately art can’t immortalise power
Quote
King of kings - arrogant and powerful
Despair
Ironic because he tells them to despair the grandeur of his works but they should despair because his power is temporary and ultimately unimportant
Quote
Stretch far away
Who wrote the poem
Percy Shelley
