Ozymandias Flashcards
What does the title ‘Ozymandias’ show
Naming a poem after a person shows importance or power
What does the framed narrative that starts the poem suggest
The persona of the poem has to be told about Ozymandias by a traveller, which suggests that his fame and power has faded
What is the first line that shows the framed narrative
“I met a traveller from an antique land who said:”
“vast and trunkless legs of stone”
‘vast’ = originally powerful and sturdy
‘trunkless’ = now weak and broken
shows loss of power
“shattered visage”
Imagery of a broken face implies that no one has long lasting power, even Ozymandias
Where does Shelley use consonance
“cold command”
shows Ozymandias’ harshness
Words used that present Ozymandias in a negative way
“sneer”
“frown”
“mocked”
Shelley could be suggesting that power can corrupt people - could be inspired by his own political beliefs
also shows him as ruthless/ he doesnt care for others
“survive, stamped on these lifeless things”
contrast of ‘survive’ and ‘lifeless’ reminds the reader that Ozymandias is dead and his legacy almost is too
what technique is used three times in the last two lines + how?
alliteration
“boundless and bare”
“lone and level”
“sands stretch”
emphasises sense of vast emptiness
What does the statue being on a ‘pedestal’ suggest
pedestals are usually associated with power, reminds us that he once held lots of power
What are the religious references
“king of kings”
“ye Mighty”
religious tone suggests his arrogance - thinks he is better than god
what is the volta of the poem
“nothing besides remains”
“colossal wreck”
image of decay and ruin shows that Ozymandias’ empire has crumbled + his ego is destroyed
