Ozymandias by Percy Shelley Flashcards
1
Q
“hand that mocked”
“wrinkled lip and sneer”
A
In ‘Ozymandias’, Shelley refers to the sculptor as the “hand that mocked” the statue. On the surface, the word ‘mocked’ show only that the sculptor created the artwork. However, Shelley may also be playing on the second meaning of the word ‘mocked’ (to make fun of); the “wrinkled lip and sneer” of the statue suggest that the sculptor disliked Ozymandias, hinting that he may have intended to ridicule the leader by his unflattering depictions
