ozymandias

• I met a traveller from an antique land


  instantly distancing self from story. the word ‘antique’ suggests that something interesting will emerge. could also reflect on Ozymandias' power, as it is old and forgotten.
• Ozymandias' statue


  • Wrinkled lip - conveys a sneer, associated with age
  • Sneer - suggests the ruler rules with contempt
  • Told command - harsh sounding, emphasises the ruler's emotionless, cold nature
• The hand that mocked them

  Can refer to Ozymandias mocking his people, or the sculptor mocking Ozymandias
• Look on my works ye mighty and despair: 'Ironic - Ozymandias intended this to celebrate his power, but now it celebrates the artist's power'
• king of kings 


  stern and authoritative ruler. alludes to divine power as he believed he was greater than god
• Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare,


  nature eventually wins. power isn't forever. moral lesson that wealth and power is good in the moment but after death instantly declines.