Ozymandias - Percy Shelley Flashcards
Who was Percy Shelley?
A radical, romantic poet, vegetarian (?) and strongly anti-monarchy, pacifist, anti-religion and supported social justice - he wanted to end the oppression of ordinary people.
What is the historical influence of the poem?
Ramesses II, an Egyptian pharaoh, believed to be involved in Moses’ exodus, later defeated by the 12 tribes of Israel and used the throne name Ozymandias.
Ramesses is remembered for his tyranny and military exploits, had a large empire over Egypt and vassals. He is also remembered for his defeat
What is the other influence of the poem - related to Shelley’s time?
King George III - a King who reigned longer than any other at the time. He engaged in many military conflicts and was remembered for oppression and tyranny. During his reign, the 13 colonies rebelled.
Shelley was pacifist, and positioned himself against George’s military exploits.
How do the supposed historical context and influence of George III link in the poem?
George III is seen historically as a tyrant - the poem engages the issues of power and conflict through the discussion of a huge statue in the desert (Ozymandias). The statue is almost destroyed, none of the pharaoh’s works survive.
The conflict between man and memory is explored, Ozymandias was largely forgotten, although he thought his memory would last forever. The decay reflects how exploits which are impressive but immoral are criticized and forgotten.
What effect does the rhyme scheme have on the poem? (structure)
Irregular rhyme scheme - contrasts the single stanza (suggesting order), suggesting a lack of power and order. These contrasts reflect how different people view the effects of conflict
What effect does the fact that the poem is a sonnet have? (structure)
It blends Petrarchan and Shakespeare sonnets, to demonstrate power - even the power of literary conventions is transient and ever-changing, he wanted to break away from establishments.
Perhaps a mirror of how much Ozymandias loved himself.
Or he is making the poem an object of love and respect, by making the statue the focus of the poem (maybe to mask political implications)
- Traditional 14 lines and octet-volta sestet (Petrarchan sonnet)
- Irregular rhyme scheme + iambic pentameter (Shakespearean sonnets)
What effect does Shelly’s breaking away from conventional literary techniques have?
The irregular rhyme scheme breaks away from the sonnet form, enabling him to imply how literature can defy tradition and give way to new power. He is demonstrating a change of convention. He is encouraging the belief that convention should never be accepted without challenge.
(breaking away from conventions is a trait of romantic poets who focused on defying old ideas of rhythm or religion, meter or monarchy)
What effect does the use of alliteration have on the reader?
Alliteration is used to demonstrate the vast, unending power of the desert and to combat the limited power of man. The statue is perhaps a symbol for human power - a king who attempted to evade death and cement his memory in history, yet it lies as a ‘colossal wreck’. The statue remains broken, yet the desert around it remains endless and unending.
What effect does the use of plosives have on the reader?
‘Boundless and bare’ and ‘colossal wreck’, ‘decay’
- Emphasise the emptiness, presenting the magnitude of loss that Ozymandias has endured. That nature outlives him
What is a major theme in the poem?
Power is not eternal - it is ever changing
How is the negative language used in the poem?
‘sunk’ ‘shattered’ ‘frown’ ‘wrinkled’ ‘sneer’
- make it clear that the poem is an attack on the powerful
How does the consonance of ‘cold command’ show about Ozymandias’ rule?
Harsh ‘c’ sounds reflect his harsh nature
- common usage in poetry to show anger or aggression
