This is 40 pages of in-depth analysis on all the poems in power and conflict apart from checking out my history, emigree and tissue. I will update this to include it soon.
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POWER AND CONFLICT BY SHE
REVISE
1. OZYMANDIAS
Ozymandias (to breathe power) shows the futility of men’s aspirations for domination as
well as the ephemeral nature of absolute political power. Eventually all will fall to dust
and the fruitless actions will be forgotten. Shelley is making a stand against the greed
of society, trying to show that ultimately, we will not prevail.
Ozymandias
Ramses III called himself Ozymandias which means to breathe power which highlights
how he believes he was born to rule over everyone – he is inherently arrogant.
I met a traveler from an antique land (power of nature)
• The fact that it is a second-hand recollection of a story shows how the mighty
pharaoh has been reduced to the most distant story as heartless ruler and shows its
insignificance. The narrative framing also creates a sense of distance in time and
place, giving an almost mythical quality.
• Reinforced through the adjective "antique" which reflects on Ozymandias power, as
it is old and forgotten. this also shows how vague and distant the land is making it
clear that Ozymandias’ achievements belong to the past
"Two vast and trunkless legs of stone" (power of nature/humans)
• "trunkless" = adjective = alludes to the theme of decay which runs throughout the
poem which supports the idea of the once-powerful ruler being now powerless -
nothing can stop the power of nature
• the combination of the adjectives "vast and trunkless" showcases the large size of
the statue whiles also emphasizing how incomplete it is. this could be interpreted
as Ozymandias' power decreasing over time.
Near them, on the sand, Half sunk a shatter'd visage lies, (power of nature)
• the sand could represent how power has slipped through his fingers and how
things, no matter how great, decay over time – it is a symbol of time.
, • 'sunk' shows that the statue has depleted and is now being buried and consumed
by the sand. This could convey that the desert has now metaphorically become his
grave and is wiping out all traces of his existence as punishment for his arrogance
and vanity.
"Shatter'd visage" presents a loss of identity. He tried to immortalize himself by
building himself out of stone, but nature will always be more powerful. The only
remaining memory of him has been 'shatter'd' and it is no longer clear who he is, what
he did, etc. Thus, shows how even the most powerful people can't control the damaging
the effects of time and nature. Also shows the complete destroyal of what he had to
begin with and broken dreams.
Sneer of cold command (pride, power of humans)
• the verb 'sneer' has unpleasant connotations which therefore portrays him as a
cruel leader suggesting that he abused his power and was contemptuous towards
his subjects.
• Alliteration. the hard "c" sounds Communicates he was cold and blunt as well as
arrogant.
• The fact that he is contrasted with the warm climate of the desert with his "cold
command" suggests that he didn't belong there with all his cruelty and power.
• both "cold" and "command" gives a representation of power: "cold" implies his
dismissive, cruel and uncaring nature whiles "command" implies how
condescending and conceited he is and creates a sense of overbearing power.
"My name is Ozymandias, kings of kings" (pride, power of humans)
• The term 'King of Kings' has a rhythmic, Old Testament biblical resonance; the
Pharaoh is setting himself up as a god.
• this is the only line that departs from the iambic pentameter which draws more
attention to it.
• Egyptian rulers typically believed that they were descendants of Gods so the
fact the Ozymandias actually believes that he is a God emphasizes not only how
supreme he believes he is but also warns the readers that even the most
powerful people are victims of the relentless passage of time.
• The fact that Shelley designs the poem so that Ozymandias himself claims to be
“kings of kings” depicts Ozymandias as highly arrogant.
Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!" (Pride, power of humans)
“Look”: imperative and stressed syllable – heightens the tone of command.
“Ye mighty” - arrogant and challenged other rulers.
“And despair” – patronizing as he sees everyone as worthless compared to him.
2
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