Question 1: Briefly summarize the story or narrative within 'Ozymandias'. What is the main message Shelley conveys about power?

Answer: The poem describes the ruins of a statue of a once-powerful king, illustrating the transient nature of power and the inevitable decay of human achievements.

Question 2: What mood or tone does Shelley create through the description of the ruined statue? How might this influence the reader’s perception of power?

Answer: Shelley creates a tone of melancholy and irony, emphasizing the futility of arrogance and the inevitable decline of all empires, prompting the reader to reflect on the impermanence of power.

Question 1: Quote Explosion: 'Two vast and trunkless legs of stone / Stand in the desert.'

Answer: The imagery of 'vast' and 'trunkless legs' emphasizes the grandeur and subsequent decay of the statue. The stark desert setting highlights themes of desolation and the impermanence of human achievements.

Question 2: Analyze the metaphor in the line: 'Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!' What does it reveal about Ozymandias' character and the theme of power?

Answer: This line is an ironic boast, as the 'Works' are now ruined. It reveals Ozymandias' arrogance and desire for eternal fame, but also highlights the fleeting nature of such power, which ultimately crumbles.

Question 3: Identify and explain the effect of the personification in the phrase: 'The decay of that colossal Wreck.'

Answer: Personification emphasizes the destructive force of time, suggesting that even the grandest creations are subject to decay, reinforcing themes of impermanence.

Question 4: Describe the imagery Shelley uses to depict the 'colossal Wreck'. How does this imagery affect the reader’s understanding of the poem’s themes?

Answer: The imagery of a 'colossal Wreck' conjures visions of a once-magnificent statue now in ruins, symbolizing the inevitable decline of power and the futility of human hubris.

Question 1: Discuss how the theme of power is portrayed in 'Ozymandias' and how Shelley might be commenting on leadership and legacy.

Answer: Shelley presents power as fleeting and ultimately meaningless in the face of time and nature. Ozymandias’ arrogance is contrasted with the ruins, suggesting that true legacy endures only if rooted in humility and moral virtue. Shelley may be critiquing the hubris of rulers and the idea that power is eternal.

Question 2: Compare the presentation of power in 'Ozymandias' with that in 'My Last Duchess'. How do both poems explore the nature of authority?

Answer: Both poems critique the abuse of power; 'Ozymandias' shows the impermanence of political power through ruins, while 'My Last Duchess' reveals personal control and arrogance. Shelley uses imagery and tone to explore how pride and authority can lead to downfall, emphasizing the corrupting influence of power and its fleeting nature.

Question 1: Draft a brief outline for an essay comparing 'Ozymandias' and 'My Last Duchess' regarding how each poet explores the corrupting influence of power. Include key points and quotations you would analyze.

Answer: Introduction: Both poems critique power. 'Ozymandias' symbolizes the fleeting nature of political power, while 'My Last Duchess' explores personal dominance. Key quotations: 'Look on my Works' and 'My gift of a nine-hundred-years-old name'. Analysis: Shelley’s use of imagery and irony contrasts with Browning’s portrayal of control through dialogue. Conclusion: Both highlight the destructive influence of pride and authority.