Ozymandias

Question 1

“wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command”

Answer 1

• Alliterative ‘c’s enforce an aggressive, fricative tone and reflects how Ozymandias was sharp, cruel and harmful
• Contrasts half sympathetic tone describing ‘half sunk’ pharaoh’s brokenness
• ‘wrinkled’ his power was already fading – humans should not cling to power
• ‘sneer’ conveys rulers have no sympathy

Question 2

“The hand that mocked them”

Answer 2

• ‘mock’ his hatred is fed through taunting in a tyrannical way – legacy is not triumph rather cruelty
• He has abused his power, perhaps serving his karma

Question 3

“My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings”

Answer 3

• Reflects extent of a ruler’s ego, portrays himself as omnipotent
• Ironic as suggest future leaders cannot match up to him
• Megalomaniac
• Narcissistic, biblical reference – comparison to God, since challenging all leaders _ Readers may interpret as blasphemous

Question 4

“Look at my works, ye Mighty and despair”

Answer 4

• Imperatives, demanding respect for his copious amounts of power, deep irony as ‘nothing beside remains’ exist – no legacy
• Suggests ephemerality of power and human luxuries and it is nature that is sublime and omnipotent