Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
Ozymandias (AO2 - Writer's Methods (Symbolism - the broken statue…
Ozymandias
AO2 - Writer's Methods
Symbolism - the broken statue seems to symbolise the temporary nature of human power - whilst Ozymandias was powerful in life, over time, all he had has been destroyed, reminding human beings that their power is limited.
Juxtaposition - "colossal wreck" - emphasises the difference between Ozymandias' power in life ("colossal") and his destruction ("wreck"). Seems a warning against human arrogance and the abuse of power.
Irony - The inscription on the pedestal is deeply ironic - Ozymandias boasts about his power, but ironically, there is nothing left to "despair" at, showcasing his misplaced arrogance.
Last line - the poem ends with a description of the desert. This seems to emphasise the power of nature (as the desert stretches on forever, unlike Ozymandias' limited power), and the power of time (sands represent time because of an hourglass).
AO3 - Context and Ideas
Shelley's Radicalism
Shelley was also part of the Radical movement, a political movement which focused on republicanism (getting rid of the monarchy), freedom of the press, religious tolerance, liberalism and individual rights. This perhaps links to Shelley's presentation of Ozymandias as a cruel leader - perhaps this is a reference to leaders at his time abusing their power.
Shelley's Romanticism
Shelley was part of the Romantic Movement - an artistic, literary, musical and intellectual movement that originated in Europe towards the end of the 18th century. One of the movement's key focuses was on the sublimity and power of nature - which is perhaps why it's such a key theme in this poem.
Human power as limited and temporary - One of the key ideas in Ozymandias is that human power does not last forever, and is ultimately limited - whilst Ozymandias is incredibly powerful in life, his legacy does not last.
The power of nature - In the poem, nature (in the form of the desert) is far more powerful than human power (in the form of Ozymandias).
AO1
Poems for comparison
Human power as temporary
Tissue - both poems explore the idea that human power is limited and temporary and doesn't last forever.
Man vs Nature
Exposure - Both poems position human power against the power of nature, and both poems have nature as succeeding. However, in Ozymandias this is used to criticise and warn those who abuse their power, whereas in Exposure this is used to explore the futility of war, used as a way for Owen to criticise the government.
Storm on the Island - Both poems have human power tested by the power of nature. However, whilst in Ozymandias, nature is victorious, in Storm on the Island it is more ambiguous. Furthermore, whilst Ozymandias focuses on the power of one individual, Storm on the Island focuses on the power of people as a collective.
Abuse of power
My Last Duchess - In both poems, leaders abuse their power. However, in Ozymandias, the leader eventually faces consequences (the collapse of his empire), whereas the Duke in My Last Duchess does not face consequences for his actions, and in fact the poem ends with him about to marry again.