Ozymandias Flashcards
Who was the author of “Ozymandias”?
Percy Bysshe Shelley, a Romantic poet who was deeply critical of those in power, especially King George III, and had a strong anti-religious stance.
What is the central message of “Ozymandias”?
The poem conveys that power is transient; even the mightiest rulers and empires will eventually fall and be forgotten, as time changes everything.
How does using 3 different types of sonnet forms link to Shelley’s theme of power?
The use of different types of sonnets, such as Petrarchan, Shakespearean, and modern sonnets, serves to emphasize the transience of Ozymandias’s empire. Shelley employs the rigid structure of the sonnet, traditionally associated with permanence, to highlight the inevitable decay of even the most seemingly unshakeable power. This choice could reflect Shelley’s personal feelings about power, particularly as a subtle message to King George III, warning that his authority, like Ozymandias’s, is fleeting and will eventually fade with time.
What are the three types of sonnet and their key features?
Petrarchan Sonnet: 14 lines, split into an octave (8 lines) and a sestet (6 lines).
Shakespearean Sonnet: 14 lines, 3 quatrains and a final couplet.
Modern Sonnet: 14 lines but with varied rhyme schemes and potentially free verse or contemporary language
How does “Ozymandias” serve as a warning to King George III?
The poem may be seen as a warning that King George III’s power, though seemingly absolute at the time, was not permanent and would eventually diminish, just as Ozymandias’s empire did.
What kind of language does Shelley use in “Ozymandias,” and why?
Shelley uses some biblical language (e.g., “King of Kings,” which references 1 Timothy 6:15) to show Ozymandias’s delusion of god-like power. This could also be seen as a critique of religious authority and the idea that any power—whether political or religious—will not last forever.
How does the poem “Ozymandias” criticize the idea of absolute power?
The poem critiques the idea of absolute power by showing that even the most powerful rulers are forgotten over time. Ozymandias, who thought his power was eternal, is now a symbol of the futility of human pride, as only the ruins of his statue remain.
What effect does the alliteration of “cold command” and “King of Kings” have in the poem?
The hard ‘K’ sound creates a harsh, oppressive tone, emphasizing the cruelty and arrogance of Ozymandias’s character and his authoritarian rule. The repetition of the hard ‘K’ sound mirrors the oppressive nature of his rule, creating a jarring effect that reflects his arrogance and delusion of being supreme, while reinforcing the poem’s message about the transience of power.
How does the poem reflect Shelley’s views on monarchy?
Shelley was deeply critical of the monarchy, especially under King George III. The poem illustrates the arrogance and delusion of monarchs who believe their power is permanent, while showing that all power eventually crumbles, whether political or monarchic.
How does Romanticism influence the themes in “Ozymandias”?
Romanticism values nature and the supernatural while critiquing urban life and institutions like the monarchy and religion. In “Ozymandias,” Shelley uses the desert—a powerful symbol of nature’s permanence—alongside the ruin of the statue to show how human efforts are ultimately dwarfed by the forces of nature and time.
What does the structure of the sonnet reveal about the poem’s message?
The sonnet structure, traditionally used in love poetry, is ironically used in “Ozymandias” to emphasize the futility of human pride and power. The form’s symmetry contrasts with the chaotic decay of Ozymandias’s empire, reinforcing the poem’s theme that all power is temporary.
What themes are explored in “Ozymandias”?
The poem explores the theme of the transience of power—even the most powerful rulers will eventually be forgotten. It also critiques religious authority and monarchy, reflecting Shelley’s disillusionment with institutions that claim eternal power.
Why did Shelley write Ozymandias?
He did it to criticise on religion and the monarchs, as he was anti religion and disliked those in power
What is the pain message of the poem?
People who are in power think that it will last forever but in reality, power is transitory and will change overtimes
What does the rhyme scheme changing over time suggest?
it suggests that like the poem, those in power will change over time too
