Ozymandias

Question 1

What is the power in this poem

Answer 1

It is the power of time. All the work that Ozymandias did, statues and more, all lie ruined and worthless because of time

May be a dig at the British empire - he disagreed with society, and felt no real democracy

Question 2

“Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!”

Answer 2

He orders the traveller to view his “mighty” works, but it is clear that they are ruined “nothing beside remains”
His order also representa his power - he gives out orders and such, but all his work is destroyed, he himself is dead, the lands he conquered lost
Shows his character - cocky and authoritative

May be a like the British empire

Question 3

Background to the poem and Percy Bysshe Shelly

Answer 3

Wrote between 1792 - 1822

Percy wanted political reform - he was rich, but still saw the gap between rich and poor
He was aware that there was no real democracy - the rich ruled

Question 4

“Whose frown and wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command”

Answer 4

Here we learn more about Ozymandias:
He frowned down on everyone else - like the rich at the poor
Even in his statute did he have a thrown, showing he wanted to be remembered this way

Question 5

“King of kings”

Answer 5

Here we learn that Ozymandias viewed himself as the ruler over all the other rulers, he felt totally above all the rest
But now all his work is a “colossal wreck”, “nothing beside remains”, showing the power of time of weather, it can ultimately destroy the work of those who see themselves above all