Ozymandias Flashcards
Ozymandias
Who wrote this poem?
Percy Shelly
What are the themes of this poem?
- those with power are deluded in their belief that their power is invincible.
- Art on the other hand does last like the statue and Shelly’s poem.
- nature is more powerful than man
Give me some of the context for the poem?
- Shelly was not a successful writer in his time ironic because he is famous now.
- Shelly disliked King George lll because he was involved in a great number of military conflicts around the world.
- shelly could not openly attack the monarchy so he deliberately distances himself from the poem by saying “antique land” and writing in the third person. Thinly vailed attack.
- Ramesses was also know as Ozymandias he also led many battles to extend boarders just like King George.
What form is the poem in?
*sonnet a mixture of Petrarchan and Shakespearean. Shelly also adds his own sonnet form. This could suggest that the all power ultimately gives way to new power even the sonnet form.
Give me four quotes with the analysis and context link if any?
*”Sunk””shattered””frown” this deeply negative language makes it clear that the poem is an attack on power.
*”cold command” alliteration hard ‘c’ sound to reflect how harsh “Ozymandias” was.
*”mocked” literal meaning the hand that made the statue. Or that the artist was ridiculing Ozymandias your power will not last by my art will live on.
This could be a metaphor for Shelly himself attacking king George.
*”king of kings” biblical reference Ozymandias is comparing himself to God. This could also be seen as a criticism of religion that Jesus is no longer here. Shelly was not a religious man.
* “boundless and bare” alliteration emphasizes emptiness showing power does not last but decays overtime like the statue.
*”sneer of cold command” arrogant and aggressive ruler like king George.
What is the structure of the poem?
Cyclical structure starts and finishes with Shelly distancing himself from the poem. Start “antique land” end “far and away”
What is the poem about?
A Decaying statue of a Egyptian ruler.
