Ozymandias

Question 0

1st paragraph

Answer 0

.The poem follows an interesting rhyme pattern
.Sonnet
.Each new rhyme sound erases the one before it as if erasing all traces of Ozymandias
.So we are given the message that over time Ozymandias has been forgotten.

Question 1

Introduction

Answer 1

“Ozymandias” by Percy Shelley is a powerful poem showing the effects of time on the eponymous leader’s rule. In the poem, a traveller tells the tale of a statue which symbolises the hubris of Ozymandias. Over thousands of years, the statue of Ozymandias has shattered and decayed to show that his reign has ended. The poem contains a strong message which is that over time everything will come to an end. This message is conveyed through various poetic techniques.

Question 2

2nd Paragraph

Answer 2

.Towards the end of the poem Shelley uses Ozymandias’ own words to show us the strong message.
.”Look on my words, ye Mighty, and despair!”
.”Mighty” is capitalised suggesting he was telling the Gods to “despair”
.”Nothing beside remains”
.Anticlimax
.This technique tells us that even Ozymandias’ great power and ambition came to an end over time.

Question 3

3rd paragraph

Answer 3

.Shelley uses a powerful contrasting phrase to convey the poem’s strong message.
.”colossal wreck”
.Oxymoron
.So even an empire as huge and as feared as Ozymandias’ will be reduced to ruin by the power of time.

Question 4

4th paragraph

Answer 4

.Shelley uses a clever technique to end the poem.
.”The lone and level sands”
.alliteration
.”sands” symbolic of time
.”level” tells us that time has left no trace of his empire
.This phrase tells is that time has destroyed Ozymandias’ power and there is now little sign that it ever existed.

Question 5

Conclusion

Answer 5

.Shelley uses many different techniques in this poem to convey the message that over time everything will come to an end.
.Review areas covered
.These techniques successfully convey the poem’s strong message which ultimately makes it more interesting.