Ozymandias Flashcards
Why did Shelley write this poem?
She was anti-monarchy and believed that the king at the time - King George 3rd - had outstayed his welcome. Shelley was able to write this poem about the King as his views were being presented as the views of someone else
Ozymandias in a nutshell?
Explored the idea that all power is temporary, no matter how powerful the ruler is and that nature is more powerful than any human
What does the line “”a shattered visage lies” mean?
Sense of irony. Ozymandias’ power and pride were all based on being a great and powerful leader, yet all that remains are broken parts of a statue
The poet is implying Ozymandias’ true and ultimately pointless nature
“the hand that mocked them”
Shows how little regard the speaker has for him
“Stamped on lifeless things”
An arrogant claim about himself
“King of kings”
The ruins of the statue lie alone in an endless featureless desert
“Nothing besides remains”
Why does all of the lines have 10 syllables except line 10 “My name if Ozymandias, King of Kings”?
Suggests that the ruler believe he is more important than anything else
Why is Ozymandias a Sonnet poem?
It reflects the pride and love that the ruler had for himself
What does caesura represent in the 3rd line? (a pause in the middle of the line)
The breaking up of the statue
Reflects Ozymandias’ cold and cruel nature.
Also reflective of Shelley’s own anti-military stance, as he was against the “cold commands” of military action
“Sneer of cold command”
2 themes of Ozymandias?
Nature of Human power
Power of nature
What 3 poems can you compare Ozymandias to?
My last Duchess
London
The Prelude
