Power is presented in Ozymandias as one like a dictatorship. For example, important figures or people in power are usually celebrated through statues and monuments. In Ozymandias, the state of the statue can symbolise the change in power. For example, when Ozymandias was in power it is suggested that he was controlling and cruel. This is evident in the line, ‘sneer of cold command'. The use of plosive alliteration exaggerates the idea that he is powerful and feared. In contrast, in the line ’Half sunk, a shattered visage lies' and ‘trunkless legs of stone’. The use of these adjectives to describe the statue suggest the downfall in Ozymandias' power. It implies that overtime his power was lost and that power can have negative influences even though it does not last forever. On the other hand, in London, power is presented as controlling. For example, the repetition of ‘chartered’ suggests ownership and that most things are restricted. The quote, ‘chartered Thames does flow’ exaggerates the idea that even natural environments and nature is being controlled and owned by wealthier people. Both poems present power in different ways, Ozymandias as a dictator and London as collective.
Power in Ozymandias is also seen as short and temporary. For example, the poem is made up of one stanza. This could symbolise that the power Ozymandias had was only temporary and ended after he died. The fact that there was only one stanza, written in the sonnet form, could also imply that there was only one significant piece to his history. However, in London power is presented as ongoing. For example, the use of four stanzas could imply the continuation of power. The idea that there are four stanzas each with four lines suggests that everyone is affected, 'In every cry of every man' and ‘every infant’s cry'. The repetition of every emphasises how suffering was universal and impacted everyone who was not seen as wealthy. Both poems present power as controlling. However, it seems to last longer and not just be temporary in London.
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Both Ozymandias and London use sibilance. In London sibilance is used in the quote, ‘soldier’s sigh'. The ‘s’ sound emphasises and mimics the sound of signing adding effect by allowing the reader to hear as they are reading. Ozymandias also uses sibilance in the quote, ‘sands stretch far away’. This again can allow the reader to imagine what the sand sounds like as it is being blown in the wind. This makes both poems engaging and adds affect for the reader.
Both poems are written following the neglect of power and could be used to represent warning for the future. For example, in Ozymandias power is destroyed and overcome by nature regaining control. London is written to reflect being a victim under mans influence and trying to remain in control. Both poets are romantic poets which could reflect the messages seen throughout their poems.
In London Blake criticises the government and people in power. The word ‘Mark' is used as a noun to exaggerate the emotional upset caused by power and inequality. The use of alliteration in the quote ‘Marks of weakness, marks of woe' exaggerates that it is impacting everybody. He also uses a metaphor, ’mind-forged manacles', to suggest the idea that people are being held back and restricted. It illudes the idea of chains and being controlled by the government and political parties. Blake also criticizes the church when he says, 'Every black'ning church appalls'. The use of a metaphor suggests people are losing faith and are critical towards what the church are doing to help people in need. The use of colour imagery suggests the idea that the church is now a bad place and people should be shocked by this. In Ozymandias, the poem highlights how eventually nature takes back control over man. For example, in the quote 'Round that decay Of that colossal wreck' the nouns ‘decay' and ‘wreck' symbolise the loss of power and that power does not last forever. The poem ends by saying ’The lone level sands stretch far away’. The alliteration of ’lone level' suggests that even someone so powerful will eventually die and come to an end making everything equal again.
In conclusion, both Shelly and Blake present power throughout there poems to show the damaging and negative affects it can have on a group of people or society.
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