Ozymandias Flashcards
Who is the speaker and what is he talking about?
A traveller telling a story about the ruins of a statue.
How is power presented in the poem?
Power is contastingly presented between the leader before and after the fallen statue.
What’s the key quotation in the poem and what does it imply?
‘Of that colossal wreck’ It exaggerates the former greatness of the Ozymandias’ empire and the vulnerability of such leaders to the ravages of time.
What’s a link that connotes vulnerability?
Links to Storm on the Island being an exposed/isolated/vulnerable cottage on the island, both situations feeling ultimatley weak and small compared to opposition.
What do the agressive verbs build?
They build a negative tone and a negative impression of the leader..
Describe the structure of the poem.
Very short, one stanza perhaps implying the Ozymandias was for only a short period of time.
How is the poem thought to be ironic?
The poem points out that now all remains is an arrogant boast on a ruined statue. Looking at the downfall of all leaders and tyrants, and how power doesn’t last forever.
What does the poem being a sonnet imply?
Sonnets were generally popular romatic or love poems, perhaps a joke abour the ruler’s ego.
What would be your opening line of what the poem’s about?
The peom is an ironic memorial to the ego of an ancient Pharaoh.
