Ozymandias - Percy Bysshe Shelley

Question 1

Title - ‘Ozymandias’ meaning:

Answer 1

Greek name given to Pharaoh Ramses II.
‘Ozy’ meaning air or to breath
‘Mandias’ meaning to rule
- Either he rules everything (air is everywhere)
- His rule is natural (just like breathing)
- He rules over nothing like air

Question 2

_____ of cold ________

Answer 2

• “sneer of cold command”
  ALLITERATION
  ‘cold’ : doesn’t appear to command the hearts of his people or care for them in any way.
  ‘sneer’ : self-important or condescending towards his people

Question 3

And on the _______

Answer 3

• “And on the pedestal”
  Ozymandias the King puts himself physically above others on a pedestal to show his power
  The pedestal is the last part still there, representing power as eternal, but those who have it change over time

Question 4

My name is ___________, _____ of _____;

Look on my ____, ye _____, and despair!

Answer 4

• “My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings;
  Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!”

The term ‘King of Kings’ has a rhythmic, Old Testament biblical resonance; the Pharaoh is setting himself up as a god.

The final words of the couplet ‘… and despair’ are chilling and signify inhuman cruelty. If read aloud the two words sound slow, elongated and ominous

Question 5

_____ besides remains.

Answer 5

• “Nothing besides remains”
  CAESURA / JUXTAPOSITION

Straight after the quotation on the ‘pedestal’ , mocks the declaration power - no ‘works’ to be impressed by - power is temporal.
The caesura makes the reader stop and recognise the message : even those who wield their ‘innate’ power will disappear into history.

Question 6

Why is ‘Ozymandias written as a sonnet?

Answer 6

Sonnets are typically about love, which could be ironic as there is no love expressed by the speakers towards the Pharaoh.
Alternatively, could be demonstrating the Pharaoh’s self-love or love for power.