Ozymandias Flashcards
“Whose frown and wrinkled lip”
The verb ‘wrinkled’ suggests that the power of Ozymandias’ was already fading, even though the statue was made to be during the peak of his ruling, he was already losing power and beginning to slip away. This idea is important as it shows that humans shouldn’t cling on to power, just like like Napoleon who was a dictator in 1810 he seemed invincible and conquered Europe but in 1812 became defeated, it was believed that this poem was based loosely on Napoleon.
“Look upon my works, ye Mighty, and despair!”
Ozymandias is so arrogant and cocky, he thinks he is above everyone, including God.
“colossal wreck”
Shelley uses imagery to get the point that nothing of Ozymandias’ is left. And even if it is, it’s in thousands of pieces. Which shows the power of time and nature as over a period his statue has been destroyed.
What do both of these represent? Cold command’ and ‘King of Kings’,
Shelley makes usage of cacophonous alliteration to present the power Ozymandias once had. Also these suggest Ozymandias was a stern and authoritative ruler
“And sneer of cold command”
The verb ‘sneer’ conveys ideas that rulers have no contempt or sympathy and another political reference to suggest that they have no interest to help the ordinary citizens. This idea is then emphasised by the alliteration of the hard ‘c’ sound to show how emotionless the ruler is. The noun ‘command’ suggests an army leader without emotion such as Napoleon.
‘Half sunk a shattered visage lies’
-Metaphor, shows the power of nature
-he is unidentifiable, he is useless
-‘shattered’ (adjective)symbolises power has been obliterated
‘Nothing beside remains’
Uses imagery to show that the power of nature has ended ozymandias like his power as a ruler as eneded aswell.
