Ozymandias Flashcards
Who wrote the poem ‘Ozymandias’?
Percy Shelley
What is the central theme of ‘Ozymandias’?
The inevitable decline of all leaders and empires
What does the statue of Ozymandias symbolize?
The fleeting nature of power and the ultimate insignificance of human achievements
Where is the traveler in ‘Ozymandias’ when he sees the statue?
In the desert
What inscription is on the pedestal of Ozymandias’ statue?
My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings; Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!
What does the phrase ‘Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!’ suggest?
The irony of Ozymandias’ boast, as his works have crumbled to dust
What literary device is used in the line ‘Half sunk, a shattered visage lies’?
Alliteration
What is the tone of ‘Ozymandias’?
Irony and melancholy
Who is the speaker in ‘Ozymandias’?
An unnamed traveler
What is the rhyme scheme of ‘Ozymandias’?
ABABACDC EDEFEF
What is the setting of ‘Ozymandias’?
A desolate desert landscape
What is the significance of the title ‘Ozymandias’?
It is the Greek name for Ramses II, a powerful pharaoh
What is the main message of ‘Ozymandias’?
No one can escape the ravages of time and the impermanence of human achievements
What does the broken statue in ‘Ozymandias’ represent?
The transience of power and the inevitable decline of all rulers
What does the phrase ‘boundless and bare’ describe in ‘Ozymandias’?
The vast desert landscape
