ozymandias

Question 1

“I met a traveller from an antique land”

Answer 1

• “antique land”, shows how the thirst for power is as old as time
• shelly is making a political point about a shift from a capitalist to a democratic society

Question 2

“half sunk shattered visage lies”

Answer 2

• suggests he ruled for a very long time
• “sunk shattered”, alliteration to strike fear in the hearts of the reader

Question 3

“and wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command”

Answer 3

• “wrinkled lip”, suggests that the most powerful point in Ozymandias’ life was when he was oldest and about to die, losing it all
• shelly explains that we cannot cling to power
• “cold command”, alliteration, shows how brutal and lifeless of a ruler he truly was

Question 4

“the hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed”

Answer 4

• juxta positioning
• shows the duality of Ozymandias, as he treated his subjects horribly while also feeding them in a sadistic sense, ironic language
• alternatively shows his lack of giving to his people, “heart”, is ironic as previously in the poem he is described as “cold”, and heartless

Question 5

“look on my works, ye mighty and despair… nothing beside remains”

Answer 5

• powerful quote juxtaposed with simplistic language shows Ozymandias’ insignificance
• “ye mighty”, hubristic language, he is challenging god

Question 6

“the lone and level sands stretch far away”

Answer 6

• sand is referenced in the beginning and end of the play
• shows how despite Ozymandias dying with time, nature stays forever
• nature is more powerful than man
• “far away”, expansive, emphasises the insignificance of man