ozymandias

• What does the term "cold command" refer to in the context of "Ozymandias"?


  It refers to the tyrannical nature of the king's rule.
• How does Shelley contrast power and decay in "Ozymandias"?


  He contrasts the once-great power of the king with the current state of ruin.
• Ozymandias


  Poem by Percy Bysshe Shelley, about a ruined statue of Ramses II with an arrogant inscription
• Human Nature in Ozymandias


  Pride, Impermanence, Hubris, and Futility: the poem critiques human arrogance and celebrates the fleeting nature of human achievements
• what does 'stamped on these lifeless things' suggest


  It talks about how nature has been crushed by man
• Shelleys message is about how nature has been crushed by lifeless human politics and rule
• 'Nothing besides remains, round the decay of the colossal wreck' emphasise what


  how this overly massive statue has destroyed the land over time
• how is death presented in ozymandias

  the land could be shown as murdered by the futile power of man
• 'half sunk shattered visage ' shows what

  that its been destroyed causing life to breathe back into a lifeless land
• What is the central theme of *Ozymandias*?


  Power is depicted as both vast and ultimately fleeting.
• How does Shelley explore the nature of power in *Ozymandias*?


  Through the figure of Ozymandias, contrasting his former dominance with the ruins of his legacy.
• How is the arrogance and authority of Ozymandias portrayed in the poem?


  • The inscription "Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!" reflects his belief in his greatness.
  • His words boast of achievements and challenge other rulers.
  • This arrogance shows how he perceived his power as unparalleled and eternal.
• What does the symbolism of the statue represent in *Ozymandias*?


  • The colossal size symbolizes the scale of Ozymandias's power.
  • Its broken state suggests that power is impermanent.
  • The "shattered visage" and "trunkless legs" remind us of decay and destruction over time.
• What is ironic about the inscription on Ozymandias's pedestal?


  The command to "despair" at his works is ironic because those works no longer exist.
• What does the desert surrounding the ruins symbolize in *Ozymandias*?


  It symbolizes the greater forces of time and nature that erode human power.
• How does *Ozymandias* reflect the historical context of its time?


  • Written in 1817, it critiques tyrants like Napoleon.
  • Reflects the political atmosphere post-Napoleonic Wars.
  • Highlights the fleeting nature of human power and the fall of empires.
• Who is Ozymandias in historical context?


  • Ozymandias is the Greek name for Ramses II.
  • He was one of ancient Egypt's most powerful pharaohs.
  • Known for monumental architecture and grand statues.
• What literary movement is Shelley associated with in *Ozymandias*?


  • Shelley is part of the Romantic literary movement.
  • Emphasizes emotion, nature, and individualism.
  • Critiques political power and industrialization.
• How does Shelley use the sonnet form in *Ozymandias*?


  • The poem is written as a sonnet, traditionally exploring love and beauty.
  • Shelley subverts this form to reflect on decay and ruin.
  • Contrasts strict structure with disorder described in the poem.
• What philosophical skepticism does Shelley express in *Ozymandias*?


  He critiques the arrogance of rulers who believe their power will last forever.
• What does the poem suggest about the relationship between humanity and nature/time?


  Nature and time outlast human achievements, highlighting their dominance.
• How is fragility depicted in *Ozymandias*?


  • The decay of the statue symbolizes the fragility of human creations.
  • The ironic inscription highlights the ephemeral nature of power.
  • The vast desert represents the insignificance of human endeavors against time.
• What imagery highlights the decay of the statue in *Ozymandias*?


  "Two vast and trunkless legs of stone" and "a shattered visage."
• What does the inscription "Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!" imply about Ozymandias's view of power?


  It implies he believed his power and achievements were unmatched.
• How does the poem *Ozymandias* reflect on the nature of human legacies?


  It shows that legacies are fragile and can be forgotten over time.