Irony & Rhythm

Fragmented (Broken) Rhythm and Rhyme

Shelley does not follow a regular rhythm or rhyming scheme. This gives the poem a fragmented (broken) feel. Shelley does this to reflect Ozymandias' crumbling power. Shelley uses these techniques to do so:

Irregular rhyming scheme

The rhyme scheme does not follow that of a Shakespearean or Petrarchan sonnet.
You could argue that this fragmented structure reflects the king’s “shattered” power.
It could also show how temporary and breakable human structures and creations are.
You could argue that this rebellious mixing of different sonnet forms echoes the seditious (trying to make people rebel) nature of Shelley’s comments on political authority.

Rhythm breaker

Line 10 – Ozymandias’ voice – breaks iambic pentameter. This perhaps reflects the king’s belief that he is above the law.

Enjambment and caesura

The use of enjambment (when a sentence or thought runs past the end of the line into the next) and caesura (break in the line) throughout the poem contributes to a sense of fragmentation.
- This mirrors the broken statue and the way Ozymandias’ power has crumbled.

Irony and Satire

There is a strong sense of irony in the poem. Ozymandias thinks his power will be immortal (last forever) but instead crumbles. Shelley satirises the statue to mock Ozymandias. Shelley creates irony using these techniques:

Statue

Ozymandias uses an authoritative tone.
He commissioned the statue to make sure he was immortalised in people’s memories.
But instead, he is surrounded by a “boundless and bare” desert and therefore seen by no one.
Those that do see him are reminded of how his power crumbled, just like his statue.

Second hand account

This is a second-hand account: the speaker is telling a story that was told to him.
It shows the speaker has not seen the statue for himself.
This highlights how insignificant Ozymandias has now become and how few people have seen for themselves the statue he created to be immortalised.

Sonnet form

Because the poem is 14 lines long and written in iambic pentameter (apart from one line), it is in the form of a sonnet.
A sonnet is traditionally a love poem.
The poet could be making a little joke, pointing to Ozymandias’ love for himself and his ego.

1Ozymandias - Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792-1822)

1.1Ozymandias Analysis

1.1.1Summary

1.1.2Key Ideas

1.1.3Themes

1.1.4Irony & Rhythm

1.1.5Key Quotes & Comparisons

1.1.6End of Topic Test - Ozymandias

2London - William Blake (1757-1827)

2.1London Analysis

2.1.1Summary

2.1.2Themes & Structure

2.1.3Themes & Structure 2

2.1.4Key Quotes & Comparisons

2.1.5Exam-Style Questions - London

3Storm on the Island - Seamus Heaney (1939-2013)

3.1Storm on the Island Analysis

3.1.1Summary & Structure

3.1.2Themes

3.1.3Themes 2

3.1.4Key Quotes & Comparisons

3.1.5End of Topic Test - Blake & Heaney

4Exposure - Wilfred Owen (1893-1918)

4.1Exposure Analysis

4.1.1Summary

4.1.2Personification

4.1.3Themes

4.1.4Structure, Key Quotes & Comparisons

4.1.5End of Topic Test - Exposure

5War Photographer - Carol Ann Duffy (born 1955)

5.1War Photographer Analysis

5.1.1Summary

5.1.2Themes

5.1.3Imagery

5.1.4Comparisons & Key Quotes

6My Last Duchess - Robert Browning (1812-1889)

6.1My Last Duchess Analysis

6.1.1Summary

6.1.2Characterisation & Themes

6.1.3Structure, Key Quotes & Comparisons

6.1.4End of Topic Test - Duffy & Browning

7The Prelude - William Wordsworth (1770-1850)

7.1Extract from The Prelude Analysis

7.1.1Summary

7.1.2Personification & Imagery

7.1.3Themes

7.1.4Key Quotes & Comparisons

7.1.5End of Topic Test - The Prelude

8Charge of the Light Brigade - Alfred Tennyson

8.1Charge of the Light Brigade Analysis

8.1.1Summary

8.1.2Themes

8.1.3Rhetorical Techniques, Key Quotes & Comparisons

8.1.4End of Topic Test - Charge of the Light Brigade

8.1.5Exam-Style Questions - Charge of the Light Brigade

9Bayonet Charge - Ted Hughes (1930-1998)

9.1Bayonet Charge Analysis

9.1.1Summary

9.1.2Themes

9.1.3Themes 2

9.1.4Structure & Key Comparisons

9.1.5End of Topic Test - Bayonet Charge

10Poppies - Jane Weir (Born 1963)

10.1Poppies Analysis

10.1.1Summary

10.1.2Theme of Motherhood

10.1.3Imagery

10.1.4Form, Structure & Key Comparisons

10.1.5End of Topic Test - Poppies

11Tissue - Imtiaz Dharker (Born 1954)

11.1Tissue Analysis

11.1.1Summary

11.1.2Themes & Symbolism

11.1.3Religion & Conflict

11.1.4Form, Structure & Key Comparisons

11.1.5End of Topic Test - Tissue

12The Emigree - Carol Rumens (Born 1944)

12.1The Emigree Analysis

12.1.1Summary & Structure

12.1.2Themes

12.1.3Key Quotes & Comparisons

12.1.4End of Topic Test - The Emigree

13Kamikaze - Beatrice Garland (Born 1938)

13.1Kamikaze Analysis

13.1.1Summary & Structure

13.1.2Themes

13.1.3Themes 2

13.1.4Structure, Quotes & Comparisons

13.1.5End of Topic Test - Kamikaze

14Checking Out Me History - John Agard (Born 1949)

14.1Checking Out Me History Analysis

14.1.1Summary

14.1.2Themes

14.1.3Key Quotes & Comparisons

14.1.4End of Topic Test - Checking Out Me History

15Remains - Simon Armitage (Born 1963)

15.1Remains Analysis

15.1.1Summary

15.1.2Themes: Desensitisation &Trauma

15.1.3Themes: Guilt

15.1.4Themes: Nature of War

15.1.5Structure

15.1.6Key Quotes & Comparisons

15.1.7End of Topic Test - Remains

16Grade 9 - Themes & Comparisons

16.1Grade 9 - Themes & Comparisons

16.1.1Grade 9 - Themes & Comparisons

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