Ozymandias Flashcards
Who wrote the poem ‘Ozymandias’?
Percy Bysshe Shelley
What is the central theme of ‘Ozymandias’?
The impermanence of power and the inevitable decline of all leaders and empires.
True or False: Ozymandias is a real historical figure.
False
What is the form of the poem ‘Ozymandias’?
It is a sonnet.
Fill in the blank: The statue of Ozymandias is described as having a ‘______’ visage.
sneer
What does the traveler in the poem describe?
The ruins of a vast statue in the desert.
What does the inscription on the pedestal of the statue say?
‘Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!’
What does the imagery of the ‘lone and level sands’ symbolize?
The desolation and emptiness that follows the fall of empires.
In what year was ‘Ozymandias’ published?
1818
What literary device is used in the phrase ‘My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings’?
Irony
What does the term ‘Ozymandias’ refer to?
A representation of Ramses II, the Egyptian pharaoh.
True or False: The poem suggests that human achievements are eternal.
False
What type of imagery is prevalent in ‘Ozymandias’?
Visual imagery depicting decay and ruin.
What is the tone of the poem ‘Ozymandias’?
Sardonic and reflective.
How does the poem reflect Romantic ideals?
By emphasizing nature’s power over human creations.
What is the significance of the ‘two vast and trunkless legs of stone’?
They symbolize the remnants of a once-great ruler.
Fill in the blank: The poem begins with a description of a ‘______’ in the desert.
traveler
What does the poem suggest about the fate of Ozymandias’s empire?
It has crumbled and is now forgotten.
What is the structure of a sonnet?
14 lines with a specific rhyme scheme.
Who is the ‘king of kings’ referred to in the poem?
Ozymandias.
True or False: The poem ends on a hopeful note.
False
What does the poem ‘Ozymandias’ critique?
The hubris of rulers and the fleeting nature of power.
What literary technique is used in the line ‘The hand that mocked them’?
Personification
What does the statue’s decay represent?
The inevitable decline of all human achievements.
Fill in the blank: Ozymandias is a symbol of ________.
hubris
What does the phrase ‘Look on my Works’ imply about Ozymandias’s attitude?
He believed in his own greatness and legacy.
What lesson can be derived from ‘Ozymandias’?
All power is temporary and will eventually fade.
