Ozymandias - Shelley

• Describe the events of the poem 'Ozymandias'.

  The narrator meets a traveller who describes a ruined statue in the desert. It was of a proud and arrogant king, Ozymandias, who once thought his power would last forever. Now, his empire is gone, and only the decayed statue remains, showing that human power is temporary.
• What is the poem described as in terms of language devices, and what does it show?

  The poem is described as a metaphor to show that human power is temporary. The statue is broken and lays in the sand, showing that the most powerful humans on the world are not invincible against the power of nature.
• How does Shelley’s Romanticism influence Ozymandias?

  Shelley, a Romantic poet, focused on emotion and the power of nature over humans.

  The poem shows how nature destroys Ozymandias’ statue, proving that nature and time outlive human power.

  This reflects the Romantic belief that humans are small compared to the natural world.
• How do Shelley’s political views shape the message of Ozymandias?

  Shelley disliked monarchy and the oppression of ordinary people.

  By showing Ozymandias' ruined stature, Shelley suggests that absolutists and kings will be forgotten, and their power cannot last forever, which reflects his anti-monarchy beliefs.
• How is the French Revolution linked to Ozymandias?

  Shelley was inspired by the French Revolution, where the monarchy was overthrown.

  The ruined statue represents how all oppressive rulers will eventually fall, just like the French monarchy, and their legacy will fade.
• What Romantic idea about power is explored in Ozymandias?

  The poem contrasts human power, the statue, with natures power, the destroyed statue.

  Shelley shows that nature and time are stronger than human achievements.

  This is a key romantic belief.
• What does the poem suggest about legacy and arrogance?

  Ozymandias believed his "works" would last forever, but only ruins remain.

  Shelley uses this to share a message, warning monarchs that pride and arrogance lead to nothing because time and nature erases human legacies, no matter how powerful someone is.
• How does the sonnet form reflect the poem’s message?

  Ozymandias is a sonnet, which is usually used for love, but Shelley uses it to describe decay and cruelty.

  This creates a contrast.

  This shows that human power is unnatural and temporary, unlike love or nature.
• How does the rhyme scheme reflect the decay of human power?

  The imabic pentameter and rhyme scheme are irregular and disrupted, mirroring how human power and structures eventually crumble.

  Even the poem's form reflects the theme of decay and impermanence.
• How does the structure reflect the downfall of human power?

  The poem follows a traditional sonnet structure until the volta, where the focus shifts from the statue to the vast desert.

  This mirrors how human achievements fade, while nature lasts.
• Where is the volta?

  line 9
• How does the structure emphasise human insignificance?

  The first 8 line describe the broken statue in fragments, showing its destruction.

  The final 2 lines describe the endless desert, emphasising how human pride is insignificant compared to the eternal natural world.
• What quote shows Ozymandias’ arrogance and tyrannical nature, captured by the sculptor?

  "sneer of cold command"
• How does the quote "Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!" show the temporary nature of human power?

  • The imperative "look" and stressed syllable create a commanding tone, showing Ozymandias’ arrogance as he orders other rulers to admire his greatness.
  • The irony is that they should actually "despair" because power is temporary, his statue is now in ruins, proving nature and time outlast human achievements.
• What quote shows Ozymandias telling others to look at his power, but it’s ironic?

  "Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!"
• What quote shows the desert is vast, lonely, and outlasts Ozymandias’ statue?

  "The lone and level sands stretch far away"
• How does Ozymandias show Romantic ideas about power and politics?

  • The poem criticises rulers and powerful institutions, shown by the broken statue of Ozymandias.
  • Shelley uses poetry to spread political ideas in a way everyone can understand.
  • It shows how human power fades, but nature and time last forever
• How is King George III linked to Ozymandias?

  • Shelley wrote during George III's reign, he ruled longer than any king before him but became very unpopular.
  • King George III was well known for his oppression and constant war.
  • Shelley was a pacifist so he opposed George III's military actions.
• Why do critics believe George III inspired Ozymandias?

  Because both George III and Ozymandias are tyrannical rulers that have eventually lost power due to time.
• What quote shows that the poem is a second hand account?

  "I met a traveller from an antique land"
• What is meant by the term Romantic fascination?

  Romantic fascination is an interest in the mysterious, powerful, and ancient.

  In Ozymandias, it’s seen through the “antique land,” showing awe for the past and the power of nature over time.
• How is human power shown in Ozymandias?

  Human power is temporary and fades over time.

  The ruined statue shows that even the greatest power and rulers will be destroyed overtime.