New
New
Year 10
AQA

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

I can explore how Shelley uses language and structure to convey his key messages about power.

New
New
Year 10
AQA

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

I can explore how Shelley uses language and structure to convey his key messages about power.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Breaking the sonnet form reflects the way that human power and man-made structures can be disrupted and destroyed.
  2. Shelley uses symbolic adjectives to emphasise the temporary nature of political and human power and achievements.
  3. The alliterative final imagery reinforces the insignificance of rulers compared with the desert sands.
  4. The ironic quoting of Ozymandias’ words demonstrates the meaninglessness of his legacy and his weakness.

Common misconception

The form of poem an author might choose means little to the message

Poets pick their forms carefully, as we can see in 'Ozymandias' even the slight tweaking of form can impact the reading of the poem and its meaning.

Keywords

  • Sonnet - a poem of fourteen lines, usually focusing on love

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

  • Ironic - happening in a way contrary to what is expected

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

Model the way to decode rhyme schemes when you are on slide 12.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You will need access to a copy of the AQA Power and Conflict poetry anthology for this lesson.

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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6 Questions

Q1.
In 'Ozymandias', what power does Shelley suggest doesn't last forever?
power of nature
Correct answer: power of humans
power of memory
Q2.
In the poem 'Ozymandias', the voice of Ozymandias is...
weak
loud
Correct answer: arrogant
Q3.
What semantic field is used in the poem 'Ozymandias' and what does it show?
love, to show how egotistical Ozymandias was
Correct answer: decay, to show how the statue and Ozymandias' power fell into ruin
opulence, to show the greed of Pharaohs
Q4.
How does the quote ''sneer of cold command'' from 'Ozymandias' depict a tyrannical leader?
Correct answer: it shows how the ruler was cruel and demanded obedience
it shows how the ruler was powerful
it shows how the ruler was bossy
Q5.
The poem 'Ozymandias' can be seen as...
a love poem to the ancient Egyptians.
Correct answer: an allegory for the ephemeral nature of all human power.
a ballad that praises nature.
Q6.
What is ironic in the poem 'Ozymandias'?
Correct answer: 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

6 Questions

Q1.
What does Shelley emphasise the power of in 'Ozymandias'?
humans
Correct answer: nature
memory
Q2.
What technique does Shelley use to emphasise nature's power at the end of 'Ozymandias'?
onomatopoeia
simile
Correct answer: alliteration
Q3.
Which line taken from Shelley's 'Ozymandias' uses irony?
''The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed''
Correct answer: ''Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair! Nothing beside remains.''
''Tell that its sculptor well those passions read''
Q4.
Which is true regarding Shelley's use of the sonnet form in the poem 'Ozymandias'?
Shelley adheres to the Shakespearean sonnet form
Shelley adheres to the Petrarchan sonnet form
Correct answer: Shelley merges the Shakespearean and Petrarchan sonnet form
Q5.
Why might Shelley have subverted the traditional sonnet form when writing 'Ozymandias'?
to expose the love Ozymandias had for himself
Correct answer: 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
Q6.
Which line marks the volta of the sonnet 'Ozymandias' and why is it significant?
''Nothing beside remains'' - it shows Ozymandias lost power
''The hand that mocked...and the heart that fed'' - it shows Ozymandias' pride
Correct answer: ''And on the pedestal, these words appear:'' - it introduces the ironic tone