Ozymandius Flashcards
What is ozymandius about?
A man meets a traveller and tells the story of a statue in the desert who was an arrogant past king who was a proud face as he boasts about his power in his inscription but his statue has crumbled
What are the key themes in Ozymandius?
Power of humans, power of nature, pride
What form is this poem in?
A sonnet (Petrarchan sonnet)
What is different about this sonnet?
It doesn’t follow a regular sonnet rhyme - reflects way humans power and structure can be destroyed
What other forms does the poem hold?
Iambic pentameter
What does the structure of the poem help us to see?
Helps us to build an image of the statue by focusing on different parts in turn
How does the poem end and what is the significance of this?
By describing enormous desert which shows insignificance of the statue
What is ironic about the poem?
Ozymandius talks about his power on his inscription but there is nothing left to show for his arrogant boasting or his great civilisation
What does Ozymandius’s ruined statue symbolise?
Temporary nature of political power or human achievement
What does the language of power show in the poem?
It focuses how Ozymandius represents the power of humans and how power has been lost and is only visible due to power of art
How does the poem use angry language?
Tyranny of ruler suggests aggressive language “king of kings” “look on my works, he mighty and despair” - arrogant, challenges other rulers
State a quote showing pride in the play
“Look on my works, ye mighty and despair” - called others to admire what he did
How is arrogance shown in the poem?
Inscription - shows he believed he was the most powerful and nobody could compete
How is power shown in the poem?
“Survive” and “lifeless” on the same line shows how art can outlast human power - human power & civilisation is insignificant compared to passing of time
Why may the poem be set in an “antique” land?
To show deterioration of the statue and how nature has stood but the statue couldn’t survive and is old.
Why may “nothing besides remains” come direct,y after the inscription?
As a comparison to show insignificance, that his power is no longer there
How may Shelley’s status as a romantic poet have affected the tone of the poem?
he embraced the natural world and was soften against political control
How does Shelley present human power, linked to real life?
By using forgotten legacy, an Egyptian pharaoh and his decaying statue - power it seemingly possessed is portrayed as an illusion
State a quote hat shows Shelly instantly detaching himself from the story
“I met a traveller”
State 4 quotes that show deep negative language
“Sunk” “wrinkled” “shattered” “frown” “sneer”
What does “cold command” show?
It’s alliteration and the harsh ‘c’ sound reflects Ozymandius’s harsh nature / the authority of the ruler is over, dead
How could you interpret this quote? “Hand that mocked them”
Mock - ‘mock up’ from and artist or ‘mock’ ridicule — artist creating the statue to ridicule Ozymandius
What could the artist Interpretation of “hand that mocked them” mean in the times of Shelley?
It’s the artist attacking the pharaoh like Shelley attacking king George III, suggesting he’ll be forgotten
State a quote with alliteration that emphasises emptiness
“Boundless and bare”
