Ozymandias

    AQA
    GCSE

    The poem frames a narrative recounted by a 'traveller from an antique land' regarding the ruins of a statue of Ozymandias (Ramses II) found in a desolate desert. The narrator describes the fragmented physical remains: 'vast and trunkless legs' and a 'shattered visage' that still bears the expression of a tyrannical ruler. The pedestal's inscription arrogantly challenges onlookers to despair at the king's mighty works, yet ironically, nothing remains but the decay of the statue itself. The poem concludes with the image of the 'lone and level sands' stretching to the horizon, emphasizing the total erasure of human power by nature and time. This sonnet serves as a critique of political tyranny and a meditation on the inevitability of oblivion.

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    What You Need to Demonstrate

    Key skills and knowledge for this topic

    • AO1: Conceptualize the poem as an ironic critique of political tyranny and the hubris of rulers, linking the 'shattered visage' to the inevitable decay of power.
    • AO2: Analyse the disruption of the sonnet form (Petrarchan/Shakespearean mix) to mirror the crumbling of the statue, and the use of plosive alliteration ('cold command') to reflect aggression.
    • AO3: Integrate understanding of Shelley's Romantic anti-establishment views and the critique of King George III, linking the 'antique land' to the timeless nature of tyranny.
    • AO1 (Comparison): Synthesize the presentation of power in 'Ozymandias' with a second poem (e.g., 'My Last Duchess' for human pride or 'The Prelude' for nature's dominance).

    Example Examiner Feedback

    Real feedback patterns examiners use when marking

    • "You have identified the sonnet form; now explain why Shelley breaks the rhyme scheme and how this mirrors the broken statue."
    • "Avoid 'bolt-on' context about the Romantic era. Instead, explain how the 'lone and level sands' symbolize the Romantic belief in nature's supremacy."
    • "Your comparison is unbalanced. Ensure you analyse the recalled poem with the same depth of language analysis as the printed text."
    • "Use comparative connectives (whereas, conversely, similarly) to bridge your paragraphs rather than writing two separate mini-essays."

    Marking Points

    Key points examiners look for in your answers

    • AO1: Conceptualize the poem as an ironic critique of political tyranny and the hubris of rulers, linking the 'shattered visage' to the inevitable decay of power.
    • AO2: Analyse the disruption of the sonnet form (Petrarchan/Shakespearean mix) to mirror the crumbling of the statue, and the use of plosive alliteration ('cold command') to reflect aggression.
    • AO3: Integrate understanding of Shelley's Romantic anti-establishment views and the critique of King George III, linking the 'antique land' to the timeless nature of tyranny.
    • AO1 (Comparison): Synthesize the presentation of power in 'Ozymandias' with a second poem (e.g., 'My Last Duchess' for human pride or 'The Prelude' for nature's dominance).

    Examiner Tips

    Expert advice for maximising your marks

    • 💡Allocate 45 minutes: 5 minutes planning, 40 minutes writing. Do not spend excessive time on the printed poem at the expense of the comparison.
    • 💡Select the second poem based on the specific theme in the question (e.g., 'power of nature' vs 'power of humans'), not just your favourite poem.
    • 💡Use the 'Both/However' structure to drive the comparison: 'Both poets present power as... however, Shelley focuses on...'.
    • 💡Memorise 3-4 'universal' quotes from likely comparison texts (e.g., London, The Prelude) to ensure parity with the printed text.

    Common Mistakes

    Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

    • Treating the poem in isolation rather than sustaining a comparison throughout the response.
    • Biographical storytelling about Shelley's expulsion from Oxford rather than linking context to the theme of power.
    • Confusing the 'traveller', the 'narrator', and 'Ozymandias', leading to inaccurate analysis of voice.
    • Asserting the statue is 'destroyed by war' rather than the passive, inevitable erosion of time and nature.

    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    Likely Command Words

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