Question 1: Who was the historical figure Ozymandias, and how does Percy Shelley use this figure to explore ideas about power?

Answer: Ozymandias was an Egyptian pharaoh; Shelley uses him as a symbol of the impermanence of power and human achievement.

Question 2: Explain how the poem reflects the Romantic era's attitudes towards history and human achievement.

Answer: The poem emphasizes the fleeting nature of power and questions the lasting value of human accomplishments, aligning with Romantic ideas of nature and individual emotion.

Question 1: What is the significance of the line 'Round the decay / Of that colossal Wreck,'? How does it reflect the poem’s themes?

Answer: It highlights the inevitable decay of even the greatest achievements, emphasizing themes of mortality and the impermanence of power.

Question 2: Describe how Shelley presents the statue of Ozymandias in the poem and discuss its symbolic meaning.

Answer: The statue is broken and ruined, symbolizing the decline of tyranny and the transient nature of human power.

Question 1: Quote explosion: 'Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!' What is the effect of this statement, and what does it reveal about Ozymandias’ character?

Answer: The boastful tone contrasts with the ruined statue, highlighting Ozymandias' arrogance and the irony that his empire has fallen; it also emphasizes the futility of pride.

Question 2: Identify and explain the effect of the metaphor 'Boundless and bare / The lone and level sands stretch far away,'.

Answer: It creates an image of endless desolation, symbolizing the erasure of human achievement by time and nature.

Question 1: How does the poem suggest that power is temporary? Use specific examples from the text.

Answer: The broken statue and desolate sands show that even mighty rulers are ultimately powerless, and the poem implies that time erases all human achievements.

Question 2: Compare the theme of power in 'Ozymandias' with that in 'My Last Duchess'. How are their perspectives similar or different?

Answer: Both poems explore themes of control and ego; however, 'Ozymandias' emphasizes the fleeting nature of power, while 'My Last Duchess' examines personal pride and possessiveness.

Question 1: What are the key similarities and differences in how these poems present ideas about power?

Answer: Both poems depict power as fleeting or corrupt; 'Ozymandias' shows its impermanence through decay, while 'My Last Duchess' reveals personal pride and control. Differences include their focus—historical monument vs. personal relationships.

Question 1: Develop a paragraph plan or a short essay outline based on the themes, language devices, and context discussed in this worksheet.

Answer: The paragraph should discuss the symbolism of the ruined statue, Shelley’s use of irony and metaphors, and the historical context of hubris to show that all human achievements are subject to decay over time.