POETRY - OZYMANDIAS

He is playing it safe, avoiding another scandal (treason against the King) like him being kicked out of Oxford for speaking out against the Church.
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He is playing it safe, avoiding another scandal (treason against the King) like him being kicked out of Oxford for speaking out against the Church.
Why does Shelley have the story introduced by a 'traveller'?
rule of 3:
- Sneer of cold command
- frown and wrinkled lip
- look on my works and despair!
How do we know that Ozymandias is a nasty character?
King of kings: reference to Jesus. Shelley is linking the church to a character like Ozymandias. - controlling, arrogant, ruthless.
What is the quote that possibly criticises the church, and why does it work?
Ozymandias is a tyrant - ruling by force. He wants to be known as the king of kings. This links to the English monarchy (George III) also demanding control.
Nature is also a force of power, that ultimately defeats man's arrogance and hubris. This is the major idea of the Romantic movement
Explain why the poem is about power and link to context
'Nothing beside remains.'
The short sentence and caesura emphasises the insignificance of the statue and what it stands for.
What is the caesura after 'Look on my works and despair!' and what effect does it have?
Sonnets are usually love poems, representing perfection. This sonnet form is ironic as the content is far from perfect. The perfection is corrupted.
How is the sonnet form ironic in this poem?
Shelley is told a story about an Egyptian ruler named Ozymandias, who was a tyrant (control freak). He has a huge statue built for himself, but nature and time have destroyed it. The moral of the story: don't waste time being worried about being seen to be the best.
What is Ozymandias about?
Hawk Roosting - bird dominates everything else.
London - power is corrupted: church, monarchy, industrial revolution has power over the people.
If Ozymandias is about power, what could you compare it to and why?
Afternoons - cycle of life - loss of vitality
To Autumn - season passing referencing beauty in each part of it.
Excerpt from the Prelude - nature is a powerful force.
The Manhunt - can't connect with the husband after a long time trying.
Hawk Roosting - the bird hasn't changed since time began.
If Ozymandias is about time passing, what could you compare it to and why?