a poem of fourteen lines, usually focusing on love

when two or more words near each other start with the same sound

happening in a way contrary to what is expected

describing a sonnet used by the Italian poet Petrarch in the 1300s

Analysing the concept of power in Shelley's 'Ozymandias'

English

In 'AQA Power and Conflict Poetry', pupils compared the language, form and structure of a variety of poems connected by the themes of power and conflict. In 'AQA Power and Conflict Poetry continued', pupils work on making more nuanced comparisons between poems.

In 'A World at War: Poetry', pupils explore how poets presents the atrocities of World War One through their poetry. In 'AQA Power and Conflict Poetry', pupils analyse how a variety of different wars have been presented through poetry.

In this unit, pupis explore 12 of the 15 poems from the 'Power and Conflict' anthology. Pupils complete two lessons about each poem: one on understanding and one on analysis. Pupils study the poems in three groups, and they pause after each group to compare how those poems present common themes.

Poetry anthology: first study

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce, poverty, deprivation.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

What does Shelley emphasise the power of in 'Ozymandias'?

What technique does Shelley use to emphasise nature's power at the end of 'Ozymandias'?

''The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed''

''Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair! Nothing beside remains.''

''Tell that its sculptor well those passions read''

Which line taken from Shelley's 'Ozymandias' uses irony?

Shelley adheres to the Shakespearean sonnet form

Shelley adheres to the Petrarchan sonnet form

Shelley merges the Shakespearean and Petrarchan sonnet form 

Which is true regarding Shelley's use of the sonnet form in the poem 'Ozymandias'?

to expose the love Ozymandias had for himself

to show that man's power does not last, much like the power of literary styles

to show that literary conventions stand the test of time

Why might Shelley have subverted the traditional sonnet form when writing 'Ozymandias'?

''Nothing beside remains'' - it shows Ozymandias lost power

''The hand that mocked...and the heart that fed'' - it shows Ozymandias' pride

''And on the pedestal, these words appear:'' - it introduces the ironic tone

Which line marks the volta of the sonnet 'Ozymandias' and why is it significant?

In 'Ozymandias', what power does Shelley suggest doesn't last forever?

In the poem 'Ozymandias', the voice of Ozymandias is...

love, to show how egotistical Ozymandias was

decay, to show how the statue and Ozymandias' power fell into ruin

What semantic field is used in the poem 'Ozymandias' and what does it show?

it shows how the ruler was cruel and demanded obedience

How does the quote ''sneer of cold command'' from 'Ozymandias' depict a tyrannical leader?

an allegory for the ephemeral nature of all human power.

the ruler thought of his legacy as eternal but the statue is a pitiful ''wreck''

the ruler thought of his legacy as eternal and the statue stands tall

the ruler knew he would be defeated much like the statue

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Adult supervision recommended

Introduction

What will you need for this lesson?

Are you ready to learn?

Equipment

Content guidance

Supervision

Worksheet