Ozymandias

Question 1

Ozymandias - Form

Answer 1

• Sonnet, with a volta at line 9
• Doesn’t follow a regular sonnet rhyme scheme. Symbolises destruction of human power and control
• Iambic pentameter - control, although often disrupted - like time chipping away at the statue
• Second hand account, distancing reader from Ozymandias and proving his irrelevance

Question 2

Ozymandias - Structure

Answer 2

• Focuses on different parts of the statue in turn, building up an image (and suggesting it’s in pieces now)
• Poem ends with description of enormous desert, showing the statue as insignificant

Question 3

Quote to show Ozymandias’ arrogance

Answer 3

“Look on my works, ye mighty and despair”

He intended ‘despair’ because of the grandeur of his statue, but now despair because of the temporary nature of power.

Question 4

Quote to show Ozymandias’ insignificance

Answer 4

“The lone and level sands stretch far away”
- Insignificance of statue vs Size of nature
Final line - reader left with greater impression of nature than of Ozymandias

Question 5

Context - Shelley’s thoughts and ideas

Answer 5

Romantic poet - Against total power, hatred of oppression