Ozymandias Authors Intentions Flashcards
(10 cards)
What is one of the main intentions of Shelley in Ozymandias?
To Criticise Human Pride and Arrogance
Shelley shows that pride in power, legacy, or greatness is ultimately meaningless.
What does the statue of Ozymandias symbolize?
The futility of human achievement
Ozymandias believed his empire would last forever, but now only a shattered statue remains.
What is the irony in the phrase, ‘Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!’?
There are no works left
The statement becomes ironic as it highlights the emptiness of Ozymandias’s legacy.
What does Shelley warn against in Ozymandias?
Tyranny and Despotism
Shelley despised oppression and used Ozymandias as a symbol of ruthless rulers.
How does Shelley depict the power of time and nature in Ozymandias?
By contrasting temporary human power with enduring nature
The desert has outlived Ozymandias’s kingdom.
What does the final image, ‘The lone and level sands stretch far away,’ signify?
Time and nature always win
This image emphasizes the ultimate power of nature over human endeavors.
What is the ironic message about art in Ozymandias?
Art can outlast power
The sculptor is remembered for capturing the king’s expression despite the statue being broken.
What legacy does Shelley suggest poets and artists have compared to rulers?
A deeper legacy
Artists capture truth, mock pride, and survive decay, unlike transient power.
What are some of the Romantic beliefs reflected in Ozymandias?
- The power of nature
- The limits of human control
- The value of imagination and emotion over logic and power
These beliefs are embodied in the failure of Ozymandias.
What is the overall message Shelley conveys through Ozymandias?
Time, nature, and art are the only forces that truly endure
Shelley criticizes the arrogance of rulers and warns against the illusion of eternal power.
