Poems Flashcards
(16 cards)
Who wrote the poem inspired by the statue of Ramesses II?
Shelly
The poem was written in 1819.
What did the Egyptian Pharaohs, like Ramesses, believe about themselves?
They believed themselves to be gods in mortal form.
What is inscribed on the base of the statue of Ozymandias?
“King of Kings am I, Osymandias. If anyone would know how great I am and where I lie, let him surpass one of my works.”
What theme does Ozymandias represent in terms of power?
The inevitable downfall of all rulers and tyrants.
What is the ironic aspect of the poem Ozymandias?
All that remains is an arrogant boast on a ruined statue.
What does the broken statue symbolize in the poem?
The eventual end of power that everyone must suffer.
What literary structure is the poem Ozymandias written in?
A sonnet with loose iambic pentameter.
Define iambic pentameter.
Pairs of sounds (iams) with 5 in a line, making 10 syllables overall.
What is the rhyme scheme of the poem Ozymandias?
Irregular.
What does the irregular rhyme scheme symbolize?
The broken statue itself.
What does the statue of Ozymandias allegorically represent?
The idea that powerful individuals will also fade away.
Fill in the blank: The poem is an ironic memorial to the ego of an ancient _______.
Pharaoh.
What does the poem suggest about power?
Power does not last forever.
How is the statue of Ozymandias described in the poem?
Breaking down, showing the loss of power.
What do the sands represent in the poem?
Time forgetting the dead king.
What is one interpretation of the poem as a love poem?
It could capture the romantic and exotic tone of a lost legend.
