Power & Politics Subset - Ozymandias
English
GCSE
7 questions
~14 mins
1 views0 downloads
About This Worksheet
A worksheet covering Power & Politics Subset - Ozymandias for GCSE students, focusing on comprehension and analysis through a sports-themed context.
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Power & Politics Subset - Ozymandias
Subject: EnglishGrade: GCSE
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Untitled Worksheet
Grade GCSE
A
Introduction and Context
Scene Summary: 'Ozymandias' by Percy Bysshe Shelley is a sonnet that explores the theme of impermanence of power and the inevitable decline of even the most formidable figures. Imagine a famous sports stadium at the end of a long season, now deserted and crumbling, representing the fleeting nature of sporting glory. The poem describes a traveller's encounter with a shattered statue in the desert, bearing the inscription of a once-mighty king whose achievements have faded into dust. Context Guide: Shelley’s sonnet highlights how ambition and dominance are ultimately transient, much like the ephemeral fame of athletes or sports teams. The poem’s powerful imagery of decay underscores the idea that all displays of power—whether in politics, war, or sports—are subject to time’s relentless erosion. The phrase 'Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!' is emblematic of hubris and the subsequent downfall. This allegory prompts reflection on how societal values around strength and achievement endure or fade over time, paralleling the rise and fall of sports legends and historic victories.
1.
Summarise the main message of the poem 'Ozymandias' as described in the context guide.
[2 marks]2.
Identify one metaphor used in the poem's imagery related to sports legacy.
[2 marks]B
Analyzing Literary Devices
Extract: 'Round the decay of that colossal Wreck, boundless and bare, the lone and level sands stretch far away.' Shelley’s use of imagery here paints a vivid picture of desolation. The 'colossal Wreck' symbolises a fallen empire, akin to a once-glorious sports team now defunct. The phrase 'boundless and bare' emphasizes emptiness, while 'the lone and level sands' suggest vast, indifferent passage of time. These images serve to reinforce themes of impermanence and hubris, echoing the rise and fall motif prevalent in sports legends.
1.
What is the effect of Shelley’s imagery of the 'lone and level sands'?
[2 marks]2.
Identify the literary device in 'boundless and bare'.
Aa) Metaphor
Bb) Alliteration
Cc) Hyperbole
Dd) Personification
C
Themes and Interpretation
In 'Ozymandias', the inscription 'Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!' is an assertion of overwhelming power. Yet, the poem reveals that hubris—excessive pride—leads to downfall, as depicted by the ruined statue. Relate this to a historic sports rivalry where arrogance or overconfidence contributed to its downfall. Consider the fleeting nature of sports fame and the importance of humility.
1.
Explain how the poem's depiction of hubris relates to a real-life sports rivalry or achievement.
[2 marks]2.
Analyse the significance of the phrase 'Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!' in terms of power.
D
Creative Task
Write a short poem or speech inspired by 'Ozymandias' using the themes of sports and legacy.
1.
Your creative writing should include at least three of the following: metaphor, alliteration, simile, or personification. It should reflect on the impermanence of glory in sport. Write approximately 20 lines.
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Details
- Created
- 12/31/2025
- Updated
- 12/31/2025
- Type
- worksheet