1. Learning Objectives To understand the meanings in “Ozymandias”
To identify language and structural choices made by the poet.

2. Starter Why are statues created in honour of people?
How does it change your view if you know that the person represented by the statue ordered its creation?

4. A sonnet How many lines are there? What types of sonnet do you know?
How can the lines rhyme (the rhyme scheme)?
What is the theme of the poem?

5. This poem is based on a story Shelley had read about a funeral temple of the Egyptian pharaoh, Rameses II, whom the Greeks called Ozymandias.
According to the story, the temple bore an inscription which read: ‘I am Ozymandias, king of kings; if anyone wishes to know how great I am and the place where kings like me lie, let him surpass any of my works.’

6. Ramsesses II
Ramsesses II during his reign built more temples and monuments, took more wives (8) and had more children (over 100) than any other pharaoh.
He wanted to built memorials for himself, which he imagined would last forever.

7. Ramsesses II
However, he used slave labour to build them and the slaves suffered hardship under his control.
Today, many of these memorials and statues have crumbled into the sands of the desert.

8. The area, where the statues are built, is known as The Valley of the Kings and a number of Egyptian pharaohs are buried there.

9. Percy Shelley wrote this sonnet after seeing a huge granite statue of Rameses II at the British museum in 1817.

10. The poem has been interpreted in a number of different ways, but all centre on the irony in Ozymandias‘s declaration that the "Mighty should look upon my works, and despair".

11. Ozymandias Ozy-mandias
‘Ozy’ comes from the Greek “ozium” which means either, ‘to breathe’ or ‘air’. ‘mandias’ comes from the Greek “mandate” which means ‘to rule’.
Now that you understand the meaning of the title, how does the pharaoh’s name relate to the content of the poem?

12. Key Words
What are your impressions of Ozymandias as a ruler? Use some of the words below to annotate your poem (matching them to quotations):
fierce
heartless
intelligent
remorseful
proud
loyal
tyrant
deceitful
supportive
loving
vain
brave
sympathetic
spiteful
frightening
regal

13. Make notes in your anthology
To sum up…
When the statue was first put up, it must have been at the centre of an impressive city. The statue was originally reflecting the massive power and empire that Ozymandias ruled over.
Now just the statue remains.
What is Shelley implying in this poem about?
Ozymandias
His empire
His attitude towards others
His pride
Make notes in your anthology

14. Themes – find quotations to support
Even the mightiest will fall: Ozymandias thought his works would last forever and would be above everyone else's. Not true. Nothing is left intact and his own statue is in ruins.
You can't beat time. Even a king dies and so will all the things he has built.
Pride comes before a fall. Ozymandias' boasts about his own greatness seem very hollow now.
The power of art and words. The only thing that does last is part of the statue and the powerful words on the inscription.
In your books

15. Extension Task
Which of the four comments below best fit the poet’s point of view of the sculptor? Put the comments in order, starting with the one you agree with the most. Support your ideas with quotations.
The sculptor was trying to flatter Ozymandias with the statue.
The sculptor had great skill in making a piece of stone come to life
The sculptor failed at their task as the statue is a ruin.
The sculptor was almost mocking the arrogance of Ozymandias.

16. Revision Cards
Create revision cards for the poems we have studied: My Last Duchess Ozymandias Remember to include key quotations, terminology which can unpack them and the effect on the reader

18. How does Shelley present ideas about power in ‘Ozymandias’?
Practice Question
How does Shelley present ideas about power in ‘Ozymandias’?