Ozymandias- Percy Bysshe Shelly

Question 1

” Vast and trunkless legs of stone”

Answer 1

. Metaphor

. This decribes the statue. The ruined statue is a metaphor for political power.

Question 2

” Half sunk”

Answer 2

. Metaphor

. This decribes the statue. The ruined statue is a metaphor for political power.

Question 3

” Shattered visage”

Answer 3

. Metaphor.

.This describes the statue. The ruined statue is a metaphor for political power.

.Just as the face of the statue is “shattered”, “decay[ed]” and a “wreck”, so too is Ozymandias’ power.

Question 4

“Sneer of cold command”

Answer 4

. Alliteration.

. The use of sound in the poem contributes to the speaker’s distaste towards Ozymandias.

. For example, the alliteration of the harsh ‘c’ and ‘b’ sound in “cold command” and “boundless and bare”.

Question 5

“My name is Ozymandias, king of kings…”

Answer 5

“My name is Ozymandias, king of kings: / Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!”.
The repetition of “king of kings” shows how Ozymandias wished to portray himself as omnipotent (all powerful).
It suggests that he is trying to deify himself (make himself a god) and wants to be worshipped as one.

Question 6

“Nothing besides remains. Round the decay…”

Answer 6

“Nothing besides remains. Round the decay / of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare”.
Juxtaposition.
The juxtaposition of “colossal” and “wreck” emphasises the contrast between his former power and his current state.
Caesura.
The caesura after “remains” in line 12 highlights how Ozymandias’ power has come to an end.