Question 1: Briefly explain the historical context of Percy Shelley writing Ozymandias and how it influences the poem's themes.

Answer: Shelley wrote Ozymandias in 1818, reflecting on the transient nature of power and human achievement, inspired by the ruins of ancient civilizations and the political climate of his time.

Question 1: Describe how Shelley presents the theme of power in the lines: 'My name is Ozymandias, king of kings: / Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!'. What is the effect on the reader?

Answer: Shelley presents Ozymandias as confident and boastful, emphasizing the grandeur of his power. The irony lies in the subsequent decay, highlighting the fleeting nature of human achievement and the futility of arrogance.

Question 2: Quote Explosion: Analyze the phrase 'Two vast and trunkless legs of stone' and discuss how it contributes to the poem's message about impermanence.

Answer: The phrase highlights the remnants of Ozymandias's statue, emphasizing decay and the passage of time. 'Vast' suggests former grandeur, but 'trunkless legs' symbolize the inevitable erosion of even the mightiest monuments, reinforcing the theme of impermanence.

Question 1: Find and explain the metaphor in the line: 'Sneer of cold command'. How does it reflect Ozymandias's personality?

Answer: The phrase compares Ozymandias's commanding attitude to a 'sneer', suggesting arrogance and disdain. It portrays him as a proud, possibly ruthless ruler, emphasizing the destructive side of power.

Question 2: Quote Explosion: Analyze the use of personification in 'The decay of that colossal Wreck'. How does it enhance the poem’s message?

Answer: The phrase personifies the wreck as decaying, emphasizing the relentless passage of time. It suggests that even the greatest monuments are subject to natural forces, reinforcing themes of impermanence and the futility of pride.

Question 1: How does Shelley suggest that human achievements are ultimately transient? Use references from the poem to support your answer.

Answer: Shelley shows that despite Ozymandias’s boastful inscription, his monument is ruined, symbolizing that all human achievements fade with time, and true legacy is fleeting.

Question 2: Compare the portrayal of legacy in Ozymandias with that in 'My Last Duchess' (from the same anthology). How do both poems explore the idea of power and remembrance?

Answer: Both poems explore how power and pride are expressed through art; Ozymandias’s ruined statue symbolizes the impermanence of political power, while the Duke’s control over his portrait reflects his desire for lasting reputation. Shelley’s poem emphasizes decay over time, whereas Browning’s poem shows a possessive desire to control memory.

Question 1: Draft a plan for an analytical paragraph comparing how Shelley and Browning portray the effects of pride and power.

Answer: Introduction: Both poems explore the destructive nature of pride and power. Shelley depicts the inevitable decay of even the greatest monuments, emphasizing natural impermanence. Browning’s Duke seeks eternal control over his reputation, illustrating human desire for permanence. Body: Shelley’s imagery of ruins underlines the transient nature of power; Browning’s portrayal of the Duke’s possessiveness shows pride’s corrupting influence. Conclusion: Both poems suggest that pride can lead to downfall, but Shelley emphasizes natural decay, while Browning focuses on personal obsession.