Ozymandias- Percy Bysshe Shelley Flashcards
(8 cards)
What line suggests a absence of life near the statue?
“ stand in the desert”
> implies that no one no longer cares for Ozymandias and his power has left him long before this moment.
> shows how his power is temporary!
What is Ozymadias about?
About a former tyrant that was Ramesses the second that abused his power and looked down on everyone else and a sculptor telling us about his statue that is left in the desert ‘ half sunk’
What are the themes of ozymandias?
Relentless passage of time, the ephemeral power of nature & power is temporary.
> Ekphrasis- out speak- speaking about ozys statue in this case.
What line shows the arrogance of the ruler that the sculptor clearly understood?
“ and the sneer of cold command”
> shows how he looked down on others and saw himself as inferior because of his status/ level of power.
What linesuggests that time and nature are stronger and will outlive this ruler?
“ half sunk, a shattered visage lies”
> ironic: even a powerful human that is ‘ king of kings’ cannot control the damaging effects of time.
What line shows how , after time, ozymandias is defeated by both time and nature?
“ the lone and level sands stretch far away”
> shows that not even a trace of his power is left in this world and his former glory is untold and unknown of.
> reflects the key theme that power is temporary, no matter how powerful a ruler is.
What quotation shows ozymandias’ arrogance?
“ look on my works, ye mighty and despair”
> ironic- we are looking upon a “ half sunk// visage” and that none of his power remains and no one is afraid of him and his army that he is attempting to scare us with.
What line expresses Ozymandias vanity and selfishness?
“ the hand that mocked and the heart that fed”
> mock- sense of intimidation and looking down at other people/ his civilians.
‘ the heart that fed’ - could be suggesting he fed his own ego and pride
