Ozymandias Flashcards
In summary, what is this poem about?
The arrogance of leaders, power of nature and memory
What is the key message in Ozymandias?
In the battle between man and nature, nature always wins because life and time are transcient
Identify a metaphor which uses sibilance in this poem
Half sunk, a shattered visage lies
What does the sibilance in this poem represent? 2 points
Hushed tone represents the awe people are in of nature’s power; they are vulnerable to it and weak in comparison. Also, portrays silence and loneliness which is ironic since Ozymandias used to rule over many people but he has been silenced and reduced to dust by nature
What does the metaphor about a shattered visage represent?
Ozymandias pride is shattered he thought he was the ‘king of kings’ however nature is superior to him and is more powerful than him. The idea of sinking insinuates his fall from omnipotence
Identify the volta/tonal shift in this poem
Occurs after ‘my name is Ozymandias, king of kings://look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!’
What does the antithesis of mighty and despair represent?
The contrast between the power of man and the power of nature. Despair connotes a lack of hope because man is useless in a battle with nature
What is the last line of this poem?
the lone and level lands stretch far away
What is the significance of the enjambment?
The line carries on just like nature will carry on destroying man made structures because it will last forever
How could you connect this poem to the prelude? 3 things
Enjambment, antithesis, sibilance
How could you connect this poem to Storm On The Island?
Sibilance, enjambment
Identify enjambment in Ozymandias
Round the decay // of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare, // the lone and level lands stretch far away
What does the rhyme scheme reflect?
It is complicated which reflects the gradual changing of time, the tightening up of the rhyme scheme in the last four lines links to the fact even the greatest of human power will decay
Note on contexts
Shelley was writing at a time George iii was on the throne and he disapproved of one person having so much power as it caused many conflicts
