Question 1: Briefly explain the historical context of the poem Ozymandias and its significance in exploring themes of power and decay.

Answer: Ozymandias was inspired by the Egyptian Pharaoh Ramesses II, symbolizing the impermanence of power. Shelley wrote it during the Romantic period, emphasizing nature's dominance over human achievement.

Question 1: What is the significance of the 'colossal Wreck' in the poem? How does it reflect the themes of power and decay?

Answer: The 'colossal Wreck' symbolizes the ruins of once-great power, emphasizing the transient nature of human achievements and the inevitable decay over time.

Question 2: Describe how Shelley uses imagery in the lines 'boundless and bare' to convey the landscape surrounding Ozymandias' statue.

Answer: The imagery of 'boundless and bare' suggests an empty, desolate landscape, emphasizing the insignificance of Ozymandias' power in the face of nature's enduring presence.

Question 1: Quote and analyze the phrase 'My name is Ozymandias, king of kings:'. What language devices are used here, and what is their effect?

Answer: The phrase uses irony and boastful diction, highlighting Ozymandias's arrogance. The contrast between the boast and the ruined statue emphasizes the futility of his pride.

Question 2: Identify the use of personification in the poem and explain how it enhances the poem’s message about power.

Answer: Shelley personifies the 'sneer of cold command' as a way to depict Ozymandias's arrogance and the oppressive nature of his rule, highlighting how power can be depicted as threatening and disdainful.

Question 1: How does the poem explore the theme of the impermanence of power? Provide specific examples from the text.

Answer: Shelley shows that even the most powerful rulers fade into obscurity, as seen in the ruined statue and the 'colossal Wreck,' emphasizing the fleeting nature of human achievements.

Question 2: Compare the depiction of power in 'Ozymandias' with that in 'My Last Duchess'. How does each poem reflect on authority?

Answer: Both poems depict authority—Ozymandias’s boastful pride versus the Duke’s control over his portrait. Shelley emphasizes the futility of outward displays of power, while Browning critiques the arrogance of possessiveness.

Question 1: Analyze the quote 'Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!' in terms of tone, language, and intended effect.

Answer: The tone is boastful and ironic, with 'Mighty' emphasizing Ozymandias's arrogance. The command 'despair' highlights the futility of his power, which contrasts with the ruined state of his empire, prompting reflection on human hubris.

Question 1: Outline the key points you would include in your comparative paragraph about themes of power and decay in both poems.

Answer: Both poems critique the corrupting nature of power, with Shelley illustrating its inevitable decay through imagery of ruins, and Browning depicting control as possessive and ultimately hollow. Shelley emphasizes humility, while Browning explores the arrogance of rulers.