Ozymandias

Question 1

What perspective is this

Answer 1

First person perspective, omniscient speaker

Question 2

What is the structure?

Answer 2

Irregular rhyme scheme which contrasts with the single stanza as the former suggests a lack of power and control of the ruler, whereas the single stanza suggests order.

Question 3

Who wrote Ozymandias?

Answer 3

Percy Bysshe Shelley

Question 4

When was this poem written?

Answer 4

1817- romantic era

Question 5

What is the first line?

Answer 5

I met a traveller from an antique land. Shows that legacy is so insignificant it is known only bu travellers- Egypt is as an antique land ( failed in trying to increase influence).

Question 6

What is the last line?

Answer 6

The lone and level sands stretch far away- the literal and figurative sand has covered over Ozymandias’ statue and ozymandias’ memory. The statue is in a “far away” where it stands so insignificant and unrecognised that only travellers know it exists.

Question 7

What does the poem focus?

Answer 7

Shelley is criticising power. There is a negative semantic field surrounding this theme, in cluding language: wrinkled/ shattered/frown/ sunk/ sneer. The speaker is criticising Ozymandias and all he represents, including his power and pride.

Question 8

What is the comparison with Tissue?

Answer 8

both show a loss of undermining toward human power. Ozymandias talks about the missassignment of power to humans, not god. Whereas Tissue focuses on the misassignment of power to leaders and individuals, not time/nature/art.

Question 9

‘A shattered visage lies’

Answer 9

Suggests a broken face- a statue of someone that we can no longer tell/remember who it is. Has no power