Ozymandias

Question 1

“I met a traveller from an antique land”

Answer 1

• The poet is distancing themself in time and space from Ozymandias.

-Shelley is writing about the ruling class of Britain, especially Lord Wellington who is set to become Prime Minister in 1818.

• Shelley focuses on the antique land to show that the thirst for power and to rule is as old as history. He attempts to make a point that we should move towards a democratic future.

Question 2

“And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command”

Answer 2

• The “wrinkled lip” shows that Ozymandias’ power is already slipping away with his age. Shelley makes a wider point that we cannot cling to power.
• The “sneer” shows that our rulers govern us with no sympathy. Emphasised with the alliteration of “cold command”.

Question 3

“The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed”.

Answer 3

• This Volta shows a turning point in the poem. The “hand” is Ozymandias’, who mocks his people.
• The ruler’s heart is feeding them nothing. This is ironic, the cold hearted ruler denies them.

Question 4

“Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!”

Answer 4

• Ozymandias is hoping that any passersby will despair at the grandeur of his kingdom and sculptures. However, there is now nothing left except this statue. Irony.
• Ironically, it is the mighty Ozymandias that should despair as nothing of him remains. It is now the artist who is mighty.

Question 5

“Of that colossal wreck”

Answer 5

• An allusion to the Greek Colossus, a gigantic statue in Rhodes. Suggesting that the most mighty symbols of power are destroyed over time.
• Shelley points to the power of art. The story of the colossus lives on despite being destroyed, similar to Ozymandias.