Ozymandias

• Who wrote the poem "Ozymandias"?

  Percy Bysshe Shelley
• When was "Ozymandias" published?

  11th January 1818
• What inspired the subject of "Ozymandias"?

  The acquisition of Ramses II's statue
• What does the term "hubris" refer to in the poem?

  Foolish pride and arrogance
• What moral lesson does "Ozymandias" convey?

  Tyranny is powerless against time
• What is Ozymandias a Greek name for?

  Ramses II
• How long did Ramses II rule Egypt?

  66 years
• What were the monuments built by Ramses II meant to symbolize?

  His power and greatness
• What are the temples at Abu Simbel known for?

  Memorializing Ramses II and Nefertari
• What is the structure of a Petrarchan sonnet?

  Fourteen lines: octave and sestet
• What is the base meter of "Ozymandias"?

  Iambic pentameter
• How does Shelley vary the rhythm in "Ozymandias"?

  By substituting trochaic and anapestic feet
• What rhyme scheme does "Ozymandias" follow?

  A B A B A C D C D E F E F
• What effect does slant rhyme have in the poem?

  Creates a sense of cohesion
• What does the word "antique" refer to in the poem?

  Ancient Egypt
• How does enjambment contribute to the poem's momentum?

  It creates a continuous flow of ideas
• What is visually striking about the legs described in the poem?

  They are trunkless and alone
• What does the description of the "shattered visage" suggest?

  It reflects the ruler's fierce nature
• How does Shelley convey the idea of the sculptor's skill?

  Through vivid descriptions of the features
• What does the use of synecdoche in the poem signify?

  The relationship between the sculptor and Pharaoh
• What does the phrase "mocked them" imply about Ozymandias?

  His pride led to his downfall
• What is the significance of the volta in the poem?

  It signals a change in mood or perspective
• What do the words carved by Ozymandias express?

  His belief in his own power
• How does the poem illustrate dramatic irony?

  Ozymandias's boast contrasts with his ruins
• What does the phrase "colossal wreck" suggest about the statue?

  It emphasizes its ruined state
• How does Shelley describe the surrounding landscape of the statue?

  As boundless and bare
• What literary devices enhance the poem's theme of desolation?

  Alliteration and imagery
• What does the poem suggest about the legacy of powerful rulers?

  It ultimately fades with time
• What are the key themes explored in "Ozymandias"?

  • Hubris and pride
  • The impermanence of power
  • The futility of human achievements
  • The passage of time
• What structural elements characterize "Ozymandias" as a Petrarchan sonnet?

  • Fourteen lines
  • Octave (8 lines) and sestet (6 lines)
  • Iambic pentameter with variations
  • Rhyme scheme: A B A B A C D C D E F E F
• How does the imagery in "Ozymandias" contribute to its themes?

  • Visual descriptions of ruins emphasize decay
  • Contrast between past glory and present desolation
  • Evokes feelings of emptiness and loss
• What role does the traveler play in "Ozymandias"?

  • Acts as a narrator of the story
  • Provides a sense of distance and mystery
  • Connects the past to the present
• How does Shelley use sound devices in "Ozymandias"?

  • Alliteration enhances rhythm and mood
  • Slant rhyme creates cohesion
  • Enjambment adds momentum to the narrative
• What is the significance of the final lines of "Ozymandias"?

  • They highlight the theme of desolation
  • They emphasize the futility of pride
  • They distance the reader from the statue's remains