Power & Politics Subset - Ozymandias: Grammar Exercises
English
GCSE
8 questions
~16 mins
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About This Worksheet
A worksheet focusing on grammatical analysis related to Ozymandias, designed for GCSE students studying the themes of power and politics.
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Power & Politics Subset - Ozymandias: Grammar Exercises
Subject: EnglishGrade: GCSE
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Untitled Worksheet
Grade GCSE
A
Introduction and Context
Ozymandias is a sonnet by Percy Bysshe Shelley that explores the transient nature of power and human achievement. The poem depicts a traveller’s description of a ruined statue in the desert, symbolising the inevitable decline of greatness. Shelley’s use of vivid imagery and irony underscores the themes of hubris and the impermanence of political power. The petrified visage of the once-mighty king stands as a testament to the arrogance of rulers who believe their power is eternal. The poem invites reflection on how power is perceived and its lasting impact, or lack thereof. The phrase 'king of kings' is notably used to highlight the grandeur once associated with Ozymandias. Students should consider how Shelley’s language and stylistic choices reinforce the poem’s message about power's fleeting nature.
B
Analysis of Literary Techniques
‘My name is Ozymandias, king of kings: Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!’ / Nothing beside remains. Round the decay / Of that colossal Wreck, boundless and bare / The lone and level sands stretch far away.
1.
Identify the literary device used in the phrase ‘king of kings’.
[2 marks]2.
What stylistic technique is highlighted by the contrast between the inscription and the remaining ruins? (e.g., irony, juxtaposition)
[2 marks]3.
Explain how Shelley’s use of imagery in ‘boundless and bare / The lone and level sands stretch far away’ contributes to the poem’s themes.
[4 marks]C
Grammar Focus: Metaphors and Symbolism
Shelley’s depiction of the ruined statue and the desert signifies the decay of empires and the fleeting nature of human power. The statue’s shattered visage and the endless sands serve as metaphors for the inevitable decline of pride and hubris associated with rulers like Ozymandias. These symbols reinforce the poem’s message about the impermanence of political fame.
1.
Describe the metaphor present in ‘the colossal Wreck’.
[2 marks]2.
What does the ‘lone and level sands’ symbolize in the context of the poem?
[2 marks]D
Creative Writing Prompt
Write a short poem (10 lines) inspired by the themes of power and decay as discussed in Ozymandias. Use at least two literary techniques identified earlier.
1.
Checklist for your poem: Include at least two of the following literary techniques — imagery, metaphor, irony, or symbolism. Make sure your poem reflects themes of power and decay.
[4 marks]E
Reflection and Analysis
Consider how Shelley’s use of language and stylistic devices enhances the poem’s message about the transient nature of power. Reflect on how the poem relates to contemporary issues of leadership, legacy, and hubris.
1.
In your opinion, what is Shelley’s main message about power in Ozymandias?
[3 marks]2.
How can the themes of the poem be related to current political situations?
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Details
- Created
- 12/31/2025
- Updated
- 12/31/2025
- Type
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