Ozymandias

Question 1

Ozymandias overview

Answer 1

Shelley uses “ozymandias” as a vehicle to trivialise the power of humans compared to the pure power of nature. Shelley was a romantic poet who wrote about Ramses II’s statue which came to England at the time. She appreciated nature’s power which she used to convey her point.

Question 2

Ozymandias para 1 quote 1

Answer 2

“Ozymandias”

- he names the poem after himself which demonstrates how he thinks he is powerful and of utmost importance

Question 3

Ozymandias para 1 quote 2

Answer 3

“Two vast and trunk less legs of stone”

• demonstrates the power he seems to have
• the use of “vast” demonstrates the abundance of power her has
• the use of “stone” demonstrates the rigidity of his statue, therefore suggesting he is very powerful

Question 4

Ozymandias para 2 quote 1

Answer 4

“On the pedestal”

- the fact he places himself up on a pedestal suggests he is arrogant and places himself ahead of others

Question 5

Ozymandias para 2 quote 2

Answer 5

“My name is Ozymandias king of kings”

• the quote demonstrates how they think they are more powerful than others when in reality they aren’t very powerful at all
• the use of “my” demonstrates how he is calling himself great therefore showing how he is self-centred and overconfident

Question 6

Ozymandias para 3 quote 1

Answer 6

“Round the decay of that colossal wreck”

• the use of “decay” and “wreck” demonstrate how his once powerful statue has become wrecked
• demonstrates how he wasn’t as powerful as once thought

Question 7

Ozymandias para 3 quote 2

Answer 7

“The line and level sands stretch far away”

• the use of “level sands” demonstrates how the statue dissipated but the sands of nature remain which therefore shows the pure power of nature over people.

Question 8

Ozymandias structure

Answer 8

Sonnet form shows his love for himself