Question 1: Briefly explain the historical context of the poem 'Ozymandias' and its relevance to the themes explored.

Answer: The poem reflects on the impermanence of power and human achievements, inspired by the ruins of a statue of an Egyptian pharaoh, highlighting the hubris of rulers.

Question 1: Identify and explain the significance of the metaphor in the line: 'The lone and level sands stretch far away.'

Answer: The sands symbolize the passage of time and the erasure of human achievements, emphasizing the transient nature of power.

Question 2: Quote explosion: Analyze the imagery in the line 'Two vast and trunkless legs of stone.' What effect does this create?

Answer: The imagery of 'trunkless legs' suggests decay and loss of power, evoking a sense of desolation and the inevitable decline of even the mightiest rulers.

Question 3: Describe how Shelley's use of personification in describing the statue's 'sneer of cold command' affects the reader's understanding of Ozymandias' personality.

Answer: The personification emphasizes Ozymandias' arrogance and authoritarian nature, making him seem haughty and domineering even in his decay.

Question 1: How does Shelley portray the theme of impermanence in the poem? Use specific examples.

Answer: Shelley shows impermanence through the ruined statue and the vast sands, symbolizing how all human achievements eventually fade with time.

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

Answer: Both poems explore power and control; Shelley emphasizes the fleeting nature of power and its eventual decay, while Browning focuses on possession and control over others, suggesting different perspectives on authority and legacy.

Question 1: Outline the key similarities and differences in how Shelley and Browning present the idea of power and its effects.

Answer: Shelley depicts power as transient and ultimately meaningless, whereas Browning shows it as possessive and destructive, both highlighting the corrupting influence of authority.

Question 1: Construct a detailed plan or write a paragraph analyzing how specific language choices contribute to the poem's message about power and decay.

Answer: The plan/paragraph should include analysis of key quotes like 'Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!' contrasted with the ruined statue, highlighting how Shelley uses irony and vivid imagery to emphasize the fleeting nature of human achievement and the inevitable decline of power.