Ozymandias

• What are the main themes of "Ozymandias"?

  Power of nature, man vs. nature, futility of human rule, and superiority power imbalance
• How does "Ozymandias" compare with other works?

  • Compared with "The Prelude"
  • Compared with "London"
  • Compared with "My Last Duchess"
  • Compared with "Exposure"
  • Compared with "Storm on the Island"
• What is the main message of "Ozymandias"?

  The statue of a king from a past civilization symbolizes the futility of human power.
• How does the king in "Ozymandias" view his power?

  The king boasts of his power and believes his legacy will last forever.
• What does the crumbling statue in "Ozymandias" symbolize?

  It symbolizes the inevitable decline of human power and legacy.
• What is the significance of the use of iambic pentameter in "Ozymandias"?

  It establishes a rhythmic structure, except for line 10, indicating the king's disregard for rules.
• What does the second-hand account in "Ozymandias" imply?

  It distances the king from the readers, suggesting a disconnect from his power.
• Why is there no regular rhyme scheme in "Ozymandias"?

  It reflects the theme that human power can be destroyed.
• What does the use of caesura in "Ozymandias" symbolize?

  It symbolizes the breaking up of the statue and the fragmentation of power.
• What is the structure of "Ozymandias" like?

  It describes things in turn to build a picture of the enormous desert where the statue is insignificant.
• Who is the author of "Ozymandias"?

  Percy Bysshe Shelley
• What were some of Percy Bysshe Shelley's beliefs?

  He was a political pacifist and vegetarian, critical of excessive power.
• Why was Shelley expelled from Eton?

  He was expelled for being an atheist.
• What literary movement is Shelley associated with?

  He is associated with the Romantic movement.
• What inspired Shelley to write "Ozymandias"?

  He wrote it after learning that Ozymandias' statue was being shipped to the British Museum.
• What does the quote "I am Ozymandias, King of Kings" signify?

  It emphasizes the king's pride and authority, contrasting with the statue's crumbling state.
• What does the quote "Lone and Level sands stretch far away" convey?

  It conveys the statue's insignificance in the vast desert, highlighting nature's dominance.
• What is the significance of the quote "Look on my works, ye Mighty and despair"?

  It reflects the king's pride in his legacy, which ultimately proves futile.
• What does the phrase "The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed" suggest?

  It juxtaposes the king's violence with the sculptor's truth, highlighting the people's dependence on him.
• Who did Ozymandias rule as a military leader?

  He ruled Egypt.
• What was Ozymandias known for in terms of construction?

  He had the largest building campaign of any Pharaoh.
• What does the quote "Sneer of cold command" imply about Ozymandias?

  It implies contempt and a lack of sympathy for his citizens.
• How does "Ozymandias" reference Napoleon's dictatorship?

  It critiques the contempt and lack of sympathy found in authoritarian rule.