Ozymandias - Percy Bysshe Shelley Flashcards
when did shelly live?
1792-1822
why was he expelled
for promoting athiest views
what was his relationship like with his parents
he had a troubled relationship particularly with his father who worked in parliament
his parents rejected many of his beliefs
what did this include
vegetarianism, political radicalism and sexual freedom
what was his love life like
he had a complicated love life
what kind of poet is shelly
one of the most influential romantic poets of all time
what was ozymandias also known as
ramses the II of Egypt
who was ozymandias
he was an Egyptian pharaoh = a god on earth, head of the government, leader of the army
when did he lead Egypt
from his teens to his late 90s
what did he have in his honor
many statues and structures
what did shelly write the poem in anticipation of
that part of the statue would be acquired by the British museum in the 1800s
what is the importance of the title in this poem
- naming a poem after a person signifies importance
- ozy = air mandias = to rule
suggesting that it is natural for him to die
what is the effect of only learning about ozymandias from another perspective
- a sense of distance is created between the reader and ozymandias
- he is not as powerful or famous as he though he would have been
“antique land”
connotations of being old, outdated and fragile
it suggests that ozymandias’ land is no longer relevant and lacks power
“vast and trunkless legs of stone”
he was originally powerful and sturdy but is now weak and broken
“shattered visage”
the statues broken face suggest that no person - not even ozymandias - has long lasting power
“cold command”
consonance amplifies ozymandias’ harshness
“yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things”
the contrast between survive and lifeless reminds the reader that ozymandias is dead and his legacy almost is too
why is ozymandias presented in a negative way
wanted to show that authority can corrupt people which could be inspired by his own political beliefs or family relationships
“pedestal”
connotations of power and authority, ozymandias once had this
“king of kings” “ye mighty”
religious tone implies arrogance
ozymandias thinks he is better then God
“look”
the imperative implies that ozymandias is arrogant, especially as he is commanding God
“despair!”
ozymandias feels superior further highlighting the arrogance
“round the decay of the colossal wreck”
despite ozymandias arrogance his empire has crumbles - nature is powerful
