Ozymandias Flashcards
What are 4 key quotes?
‘Sneer of cold command’
‘ a shattered visage lies’
‘ colossal wreck’
‘Boundless and bare’
What is ozymandias about?
The discovery of a semi-destroyed and decaying statue of Rameses II (Oxymandias) and shows how human power deteriorates and nature always wins.
Analysis of ‘Sneer of cold command’
The alliteration emphasises the harsh nature of a tyrant. Also a reflection of Shelley’s own anti-violence stance as he was against military exploits and the ‘cold commands’ that initiate them
Analysis of ‘Colossal wreck’
Ruined statue shows how human achievements are insignificant compared to time
Analysis of ‘king of kings’
Arrogant, challenging other rulers . Claim seems ironic as the reader only hears of him through the traveller. Also criticises leaders and their ideas of themselves and ability to rule.
What was the poem inspired by?
A statue of Rameses II that was bought to the British museum in 1817.
What was romanticism movement?
A literary movement that focused on celebrating nature, the individual and emotions.
Analysis of ‘boundless and bare’
Alliteration emphasises emptiness
Analysis of ‘a shattered visage lies’
Ironic, as even a powerful human can’t control the damaging effects of time. Most of the statue has been destroyed
How does the perspective effect the poem?
Pronoun ‘I’ is only used once showing how little the perspective matters. This may be to intentionally disconnect the speaker from Shelley as he was trying to impart a political message but wanted to remove the blame from himself
Rhyme scheme?
- The irregular rhyme scheme contrasts with the singular stanza as the irregular rhyme scheme suggests a lack of control from the ruler
- Contrasts reflect how different groups of people view war as beneficial or detrimental to society.
- irregular rhyme scheme breaks away from sonnet, allowing Shelley to imply how poetry and literature can defy tradition
What is Shelley’s message?
Criticising power. Negative semantic field Including ‘wrinkled, shattered, frown, sneer’. His aim was to make the reader more receptive to ideas about corruption of power when paired with a negative tone
