Writer’s Methods

• FORM:

  The poem is written in the form of a 14-line sonnet, which blends both P etrarchan and S hakespearean forms, in order to comment on human power and pride
• FORM:

  Theme - Established power structures

  • The poem takes the traditional 14-line form of a Petrarchan sonnet but uses an irregular rhyme scheme and consistent iambic pentameter, which is more typical of Shakespearean sonnets
  • The irregular rhyme scheme breaks away from the sonnet form, which enables Shelley to imply how poetry and literature can defy tradition and give way to new power
  • He is demonstrating that established power structures can be changed
• FORM:

  Theme - Established power structures

  • A sonnet is typically a love poem from a man to his lover. It could also be argued that this ‘ love poem ’ is reflective of the pride and love Ozymandias has for himself, and not his subjects
• Shelley uses the structure of Ozymandias to comment on the temporary nature of all human power when compared to the power of God or nature
• STRUCTURE:

  Theme - Futility and impermanence of human power

  • In line 3 of the poem, Shelley uses a technique called a caesura ; a pause that occurs in a line of poetry, marked by the use of  ellipsis. With this technique, the sonnet comes to a halt in the middle of the line. Shelley uses the caesura to represent the breaking up of the statue
• STRUCTURE:

  Theme - Futility and impermanence of human power

  • Shelley also uses  Enjambment in the poem alongside the caesura. This creates an uneven pattern reflecting the broken nature of the statue, as well as the fact that nothing can last forever
• STRUCTURE:

  Theme - Futility and impermanence of human power

  • All of the lines have 10 syllables, except line 10, “ My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings ”, which has 11. This suggests that the ruler believes himself to be more important than God
• STRUCTURE:

  Theme - Futility and impermanence of human power

  • The poet uses a short sentence: “ Nothing beside remains ”. Shelley does this perhaps to symbolise the finality of death and decay
• LANGUAGE:

  Shelley uses his choice of techniques and language to compare the ultimately futile nature of human power on the one hand with the overwhelming and everlasting power of nature on the other
• LANGUAGE:

  Theme - Futility and imperfection of human power

  • The statue can be seen as a representation of human power. It is a king’s attempt to evade death and cement himself in history, yet it lies broken as a “ colossal wreck ”
• LANGUAGE:

  Theme - Futility and imperfection of human power

  • The “ cold command ” of the statue’s sneer reflects Ozymandias’s cold and cruel nature. This is also reflective of Shelley’s own anti military stance, as he was against the “ cold commands ” of military action
• LANGUAGE:

  Theme - Futility and imperfection of human power

  • The inscription orders others to “ look on my works ”. This is ironic, as they no longer exist
• LANGUAGE:

  Theme - Futility and imperfection of human power

  • The setting of the desert is symbolic, as the land that surrounds the ruined statue is a vast, featureless wasteland, without any life or culture. The emptiness of the desert is symbolic of how his reign was ultimately pointless and insignificant, as he has been forgotten by history
• LANGUAGE:

  Theme - Power of Nature

  • The desert is described as “ boundless and bare ” and “ lone and level ”. This communicates the vast, powerful extent of nature and its ability to outlive all other forms of power
• LANGUAGE:

  Theme - Power of Nature

  • Shelley uses Alliteration such as “ lone and level ”. This demonstrates the vast, unending power of the desert, and contrasts the limited power of man
• LANGUAGE:

  Theme - Power of Nature

  • Shelley uses the “ sands stretch far away ” as a metaphor. This shows the passing of time, and how time can erase the power of man