Ozymandias Flashcards
What is the form of ‘Ozymandias’ and what does it show?
‘Ozymandias’ is 14 lines long and written as a sonnet which are often associated with love. This reflects Ozymandias’ egotistical love for him self. Alternatively, it can be argued that Shelly wrote the poem as a sonnet to mock and ridicule the lack of love that Ozymandias had for his people.
Analyse this key quote
’And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command’
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The adjective ‘wrinkled’ has connotations to age- presenting the idea that his power was already slipping away whilst the statue was being made. Shelly is making the wider point that we cannot cling on to power even when we seem at our most powerful.
The political choice of the verb ‘sneer’ suggests that those in charge rule over us with content and no sympathy. Implying that we need a much more democratic system.
The alliteration of ‘cold command’ emphasises how merciless and ‘cold’ power driven rulers, like Ozymandias, are
Analyse this key quote
’My name is Ozymandias, king of kings’
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He refers to himself in the third person by declaring his name ‘Ozymandias’ which emphasises his narcism and arrogance.
The possessive pronoun ‘My’ portrays him as selfish and greedy.
The repetition of ‘king’ alludes to to the bible where Jesus is referred to as ‘king of kings’ giving himself an elevated, god-like status.
Analyse this key quote
’Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare’
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He is suggesting that even the most mighty symbols of power get destroyed over time.
The oxymoron of ‘colossal wreck’ emphasises how powerful he was yet how quickly his power was lost.
The plosive of ‘boundless and bare’ creates a harsh, abrupt tone that underscores the the complete degradation of Ozymandias’s once-great empire.
