Imagery / Figurative Language

Figurative language is commonly used by authors to add emphasis on certain parts of poetry. In essence, figurative language is any language that it not literal. Many poet’s use figurative language because they like to add deeper meanings to idea/themes that they will be discussing in their works. However, imagery, kind of the opposite, is based on solid realistic descriptions (or language), in relation to the five senses. Author’s use these two techniques to make a connection in their poetry, and attempt to make their poetry more easily understandable. For example, in “Ozymandias”, Shelley utilizes imagery and figurative language when she states “sneer of cold command” and “wrinkled lip”. She uses the world “wrinkled” to deepen the meaning and description of the “lip” which she is referring to, or in this case, the statue of Ozymandias. Shelley also compares the “sneer of cold command” to describe the facial expression of the statue. We the readers can concur that the statue is not in the happiest expression when Shelley states “frown”, ultimately assuring the readers about the current state of the statue.