Understanding the connections between Romanticism and Shelley's 'Ozymandias'
I can explain how Shelley presents the values of Romanticism in 'Ozymandias'.
Understanding the connections between Romanticism and Shelley's 'Ozymandias'
I can explain how Shelley presents the values of Romanticism in 'Ozymandias'.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Shelley was a Romantic poet who rejected monarchy, religion and other powerful institutions.
- ‘Ozymandias’ reflects Romanticism e.g. awe of nature, emotion, rejection of human power, fascination with the past.
- The poem reflects the power of pharaonic Egypt, which seemed eternal but fell to ruin.
- ‘Ozymandias’ can be read as a criticism of individuals and institutions that consider themselves invincible.
- ‘Ozymandias’ can be read as an allegory for the ephemeral nature of human power.
Keywords
Romantic - literature, popular in the late 18th and early 19th century that explored emotion and nature.
Immortalise - to cause someone to be remembered for a long time.
Ephemeral - lasting for only a short time.
Pacifist - someone who is against war.
Allegory - a piece of work in which the characters or events represent moral ideas.
Common misconception
Romantic literature is about love and romance.
Romantic literature is concerned with human emotion but Romanticism was a movement that rejected the principles of the Enlightenment period.
To help you plan your year 10 english lesson on: Understanding the connections between Romanticism and Shelley's 'Ozymandias', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 english lesson on: Understanding the connections between Romanticism and Shelley's 'Ozymandias', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 4 english lessons from the Poetry anthology unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of the AQA Power and Conflict Anthology for this lesson.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
love
decay
opulence
Exit quiz
6 Questions
Shelley criticises arrogant leaders
Shelley criticises oppressive leaders
Shelley exposes the irony of Ozymandias' arrogance