Question 1: Who was Ramesses II, and why is he relevant to the poem Ozymandias?

Answer: Ramesses II was an Egyptian pharaoh known for his power; Shelley references him as Ozymandias to explore themes of impermanence of power.

Question 2: Explain the historical context during which Shelley wrote Ozymandias and how it influences the poem's themes.

Answer: Shelley wrote during the Romantic era, a time of political upheaval; the poem reflects on the fleeting nature of power and hubris.

Question 1: Read the line: 'Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!'. What is the tone here, and what does it reveal about Ozymandias’s attitude?

Answer: The tone is boastful and arrogant; it shows Ozymandias’s pride and desire to impress viewers with his power.

Question 2: Analyze the significance of the shattered statue in the context of the poem's themes.

Answer: The broken statue symbolizes the impermanence of human achievements and the inevitable decline of power.

Question 1: Quote: 'Two vast and trunkless legs of stone'. What does this metaphor suggest about the statue and Ozymandias’s empire?

Answer: It suggests the remnants of a once-great empire, emphasizing decay and the transient nature of human power.

Question 2: Identify an example of personification in the poem and explain its effect.

Answer: The phrase 'sneer of cold command' personifies the statue’s expression, highlighting Ozymandias’s arrogance and disdain.

Question 1: How does Shelley portray the idea of the impermanence of power in Ozymandias?

Answer: Shelley shows that even the greatest rulers and their monuments decay over time, emphasizing the fleeting nature of human power.

Question 2: Compare the theme of impermanence in Ozymandias with that in 'My Last Duchess'.

Answer: Both poems explore the transient nature of status and power; Ozymandias shows physical decay of monuments, while 'My Last Duchess' hints at the fleeting control over others' perceptions.

Question 1: Identify key similarities and differences in how the two poems depict power.

Answer: Both explore the corrupting influence of power; Shelley emphasizes its impermanence through decay, while Browning shows control as fragile and potentially destructive.

Question 1: Quote: 'Colossal Wreck'. How does this phrase encapsulate the poem’s message about the rise and fall of empire?

Answer: The word 'colossal' emphasizes grandeur, while 'wreck' signifies destruction; together, they highlight the contrast between greatness and decay, reinforcing the transient nature of power.

Question 1: What points would you include to argue that Shelley’s poem warns against arrogance and pride?

Answer: Points include the depiction of Ozymandias’s arrogance, the ruined statue symbolizing hubris, and the poem’s overall message about the futility of human pride.