Ozymandias Flashcards
Context
Following the story of the pharaoh Rameses II who was a cruel leader, the story is told by a traveller that the speaker comes across and is recounted in first person.
“Shattered visage”
“Sneer of cold command”
The fact that the face is shattered undermines the point of the statue as a whole, the character of Ozymandias wanted this statue to be preserved for years and showcase his presence in society. However it seems that the weather in the area has reduces the statue to this state, with his legs being turned into “trunkless legs of stone” - his legacy has been destroyed/removed by nature.
“Lone and level sands”
The nature/ natural things surrounding the statue are all permanent and long lasting even though they weren’t placed their intentionally. The sand has made no effort to maintain it’s place but this statue that someone slaved away on that intended to be a reminder of this man’s presence in society has been left destroyed and unrecognisable. Its suggests that this story wouldn’t’ve been told without the presence of this traveller.
“My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings, Look on my works, Ye mighty and despair”
The leader is made to seem overbearing as he holds/ held himself on an almost god-like pedestal. This influences the way that the reader views the destruction of his statue, its almost positive because the way he treated people doesn’t deserve to be remembered. It could be said that the destruction of his statue was proof of this as there are older fixtures like the sphynx and pyramids that have lasted longer times with less extreme destruction.
Structure
Caesura = emphasizing the fact that its a story by leading lines onto one another.
Compare to
- tissue - poppies
- my last duchess - exposure
- london - charge of the light brigade
- the emigree - war photographer
- storm on the island - kamikaze
- the prelude - remains
- bayonet charge - checking out me history
Author
Percy Bysshe Shelley
