Irony & Rhythm
English Lit: AQA GCSE Poetry - Power & Conflict, topic 1.1.4
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.
Test yourself on Irony & Rhythm
Which of these is not a literary device that contributes to the fragmented (broken) structure?
What's the main irony in Ozymandias?
Why does Shelley write Ozymandias in sonnet form?
How does Shelley create irony in Ozymandias?