Ozymandius

• ozymadius

  The poem engages in these issues of power and conflict through the discussion of A huge statue in the desert, which is of ozymadius. this decay reflects how people will be criticised and forgotten about after they die. The prom explores conflict between man and time as ozymandius was largely forgotten, even though he though his memory would last forever
• “I met a traveller from an antique land”

  Legacy is so insignificant it is known only by traveller- Egypt is seen as an antique land
• ”Who said: two bad t and trunkless legs of stone“

  irony-even a powerful human cant control the damaging effects of time

  “who said”- presented the poem as a story which establishes the distance between ozymandius and the reader.
• “Stand in the desert. near Them on the sand“

  Desert suggest as lifelessness and lack of culture
• “Half sunk a shatter’d visage lies whose frown“

  The image of a shattered visage creates a sense of irony: a king who beloved so strong in his win power and superiority and who tried so hard to present this image of greatness though his statue has now been forgotten and destroyed by time other than the visage that had been intended to show he was unforgettable
• “And wrinkled lip and sennet of cold command”

  “Wrinkled lip”- a wrinkled lip conjures the image of someone grimacing in disgust thus displaying the kings disregard for his subjects, viewing than as inferior and below him.

  “sneer”- mocking smile which connotes malicious cruelty and heartless. its like he is mocking his subjects and how’s his contempt for subjects that he views as below him. This presents the king’s arrogance and sense of superiority.

  ”cold command“- this is reflective of Shelley’s own Anti- violence stance As he was against all military exploits
• “My name is ozymandius, kings of kings“


  This claim seems ironic to the reader when they are known only via the report iof a traveller. ozymandius’s pride and irrigable les to his perception of hI’m self as kings of kings. critixizes Leaders and their ideas of themesleves and ability to rule suggests he views himself as omnipotent
• ”look on my works, ye mighty, and despair”

  The king clearly expects his empire and kingdom to survive, which is dramatic irony”
• “The Lone and level sands stretch far away”

  ”level” monotonous and featurless- no sign of his legacy

  ”lone”- isolated- statue is all that remains- his cruelty is only remembrance

  ”Sands”- the literal sand has covered over Ozymandius‘s statue the figurative “sands of time” have covered over Ozymandius’s memory

  ”far away”-the statue stands so insignificant and unrecognised that only travellers know it exists
• Thesis statement

  Shelly uses Ozymandias’s corruptive nature to highlight how his rule over his empire, led to him becoming an arrogant leader with a love for power and an utter disregard for his own people.
• Language and structure

  Shelly does not follow a regular rhythm or rhyming scheme. This gives a poem a fragmented feel. Shelly does this to reflect Ozymadius crumbling power
• First paragraph

  The title can be interpreted as being a criticism of the Pharaoh's power as 'ozy' means to breathe whereas 'mandius' means to rule. Additionly, naming the poem after him can be seen as implying power howewever, throughout the poem, Shelly does the opposite by emphasazing the Pharaoh's lack of powe as time progresses. The use of the phrase "Antique land" suggest sthe insignificance of the pharoh's power as time continues. The use of the adjective "Antique" presents Ozymandius s being no longer relevant due to the connatations of weak and fragile
• Second paragraph

  The Use of “who said” presents the poem as a story which establishes the distance between Ozymadius and the reader. This further emphasises his lack of control and suggests that many influential figures will soon experience the same fate. The imagery in “Shattered visage” implies a broken face. This can influence people to believe that no one has everlasting power as eventually, your actions will no longer have an impact on society. Furthermore Shelly presents all people of political influence as corrupt by using the phrase “sneer of cold command”.
• Third

  The consonance suggests arrogance whereas the use of the adjective “cold” implies the lack of human empathy. This can be seen as criticism towards his father as due to historical evidence we are aware that Shelly did not get on well with his parents. Additionally, Shelly uses contrast of the words “lifeless” and “survive“ to reinforce to readers that quite like Ozymandius, we will too pass away and our legacy will pass shortly after. The use of the verb “mocked“ indicates that this ruler may have been disliked during his time and therefore the sculptor had the intention to make fun.
• Forth

  In the six- line sestet which follows, Shelly comments upon the suitation created within the octave. Shelly uses the imperative “look” to indicate the harsh and demanding personality of Oxymandius even when he is presented in front of God. The exclamatory word “despair“ Creates the impression of feelings of superiority and reinforces how all power is temporary. The description of the “colossal wreck” implies that despite arrogance, the empire had fallen. It implies that human achievements hold no significance after passing away.
• Fifth

  Overall, Ozymadius is a powm in which Shelly explores the theme of

  power and destruction, which is typically caused asa result. By describing the pharaoh, Shelly portrays the transience of political power and the effects that could follow which may be an attempt to both criticise and challenge the views of his father