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Ozymandias by Percy Bysshe Shelley — Cheat Sheet


📘 1. Poem Overview

  • Title: Ozymandias

  • Poet: Percy Bysshe Shelley

  • Published: 1818

  • Tone: Ironic, reflective, somber

  • Theme: Impermanence, pride, power, legacy

The poem tells about a ruined statue of a once-powerful king, reminding us that even the greatest empires fall to time.

📝 2. Structure

  • Sonnet (14 lines)

  • Rhyme scheme: ABABACDCEDEFEF (a bit irregular)

  • Written in iambic pentameter

The tight form contrasts with the theme of decay.

✏️ 3. Simple Summary

A traveler finds a shattered statue in the desert. The inscription boasts about the king’s greatness, but all that remains is a broken relic. It shows that power and pride don’t last forever.

🎯 4. Main Themes

⏳ a. Impermanence of Power

No matter how mighty, all rulers and empires fade.

🏰 b. Pride and Arrogance

Ozymandias’ pride is shown as empty now.

🏜️ c. Nature vs Human Achievement

Nature outlasts human works and claims.

🔍 5. Key Lines

“My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings; / Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!”
➡️ Irony: The king’s proud claim contrasts with his ruined statue.

“Nothing beside remains.”
➡️ Shows the futility of human pride.

“The lone and level sands stretch far away.”
➡️ Nature’s endless power beyond human history.

📚 6. Literary Devices

Device Example Effect
Irony “Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!” Highlights the contrast between pride and ruin
Imagery “shattered visage,” “lone and level sands” Creates a strong visual of decay and emptiness
Alliteration “boundless and bare” Emphasizes emptiness and vastness
Symbolism Statue represents pride and legacy Symbolizes human ambition and downfall
Metaphor “King of Kings” Shows absolute power, now meaningless

🧠 7. Tone & Mood

  • Tone: Ironic, reflective, somber

  • Mood: Thoughtful, melancholic, humbling

It makes you think about how time changes everything.

🧩 8. Sample Questions

  • What is the irony in the inscription?

  • How does Shelley use imagery to show decay?

  • What message does the poem give about power?

  • Why is the statue broken but the words still clear?

🎓 9. Why This Poem Matters

  • Powerful reminder of human limits.

  • Uses vivid imagery and irony to teach humility.

  • A classic sonnet showing the fleeting nature of fame and power.

🌟 Final Message

“No matter how powerful you are, time will erase your legacy.”

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