ozymandias Flashcards
1
Q
“I met a traveller from an antique land”
A
- “antique land”, shows how the thirst for power is as old as time
- shelly is making a political point about a shift from a capitalist to a democratic society
2
Q
“half sunk shattered visage lies”
A
- suggests he ruled for a very long time
- “sunk shattered”, alliteration to strike fear in the hearts of the reader
3
Q
“and wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command”
A
- “wrinkled lip”, suggests that the most powerful point in Ozymandias’ life was when he was oldest and about to die, losing it all
- shelly explains that we cannot cling to power
- “cold command”, alliteration, shows how brutal and lifeless of a ruler he truly was
4
Q
“the hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed”
A
- juxta positioning
- shows the duality of Ozymandias, as he treated his subjects horribly while also feeding them in a sadistic sense, ironic language
- alternatively shows his lack of giving to his people, “heart”, is ironic as previously in the poem he is described as “cold”, and heartless
5
Q
“look on my works, ye mighty and despair… nothing beside remains”
A
- powerful quote juxtaposed with simplistic language shows Ozymandias’ insignificance
- “ye mighty”, hubristic language, he is challenging god
6
Q
“the lone and level sands stretch far away”
A
- sand is referenced in the beginning and end of the play
- shows how despite Ozymandias dying with time, nature stays forever
- nature is more powerful than man
- “far away”, expansive, emphasises the insignificance of man
