ozymandias

• I met a traveller from an antique land


  The poet distances himself from the statue b hearing about it second hand rather than by himself. The idea of an 'ancient land' suggests it is long forgotten. The poem is believed to be about a dictatorship and the idea that a thirst for power and ruling dates back in history and can be compared to modern day Britain where we have and government and in the end they will just be reduced to history books. From a distant land undermines the great king.
• Two vast and trunkless legs of stone


  Something that was once great has now fallen apart. Possible metaphor for Empires. Leg r not legs wo support
• Half sunk, a shattered visage lies


  Ozymandias - The statue is consumed by the sand, a shattered dream of an empire, lost identity
• And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command,

  The verb 'wrinkled' suggests that the power of Ozymandias' was already fading, even though the statue was made to be during the peak of his ruling, he was already losing power and beginning to slip away. This idea is important as it shows that humans shouldn't cling on to power, just like like Napoleon who was a dictator in 1810 he seemed invincible and conquered Europe but in 1812 became defeated, it was believed that this poem was based loosely on Napoleon. The verb 'sneer' conveys ideas that rulers have no contempt or sympathy and another political reference to suggest that they have no interest to help the ordinary citizens. This idea is then emphasised by the alliteration of the hard 'c' sound to show how emotionless the ruler is. Aged
• Tell that its sculptor well those passions read


  There is a distinct sense of irony through the line "Tell that its sculptor well those passions read" - Ozymandias was so apparently desperate to be remembered, yet it is the sculptor that is praised and admired for managing to capture the arrogant looks of his employer.
• The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed


  There are two interpretations to be taken from this; Ozymandias is powerful and superior to his citizens. Also it could be seen from the perspective of the sculptor as he outlived Ozymandias' power. The hand is the hand of the sculptor and the idea of 'mocked' could mean replicated so well that he is able to bring out Ozymandias' true qualities to the people and the 'heart that fed' is the sculptor who has been able to give the citizens the truth and turn the horrible artworks of Ozymandias into artwork and allows for the news to be able to spread. i.e the 'traveller
• The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed


  How he ruled, by demeaning yet appeasing his subjects. Abuse of power
• The lone and level sands stretch far away


  "The lone and level sands" outlast the statue, juxtaposed to the power and ego of the statue. Sands are also iconic of time.
• context 1818


  -Ramses and known as ozymandias in greek

  -shelley

  Links to roman empire

  -dictators such as napoleon which she lived thru, reflects her need for liberty and equality
• Structure

  Jarring half rhymes