Question 1: Briefly explain the historical context of 'Ozymandias' and how Shelley's poem comments on the nature of power.

Answer: Shelley’s 'Ozymandias' was inspired by the Egyptian pharaoh Ramesses II, symbolizing the fleeting nature of power and human achievement amid inevitable decay.

Question 1: Analyze the line: 'Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!' What does this reveal about Ozymandias's character and the poem’s message?

Answer: This line demonstrates Ozymandias's arrogance and pride, contrasting his claimed greatness with the ruined state of his works, highlighting the transient nature of power.

Question 2: Interpret the significance of the 'colossal Wreck' in the context of the poem’s themes.

Answer: The 'colossal Wreck' symbolizes the inevitable decline of even the greatest empires, emphasizing the theme of decay and the impermanence of human achievements.

Question 1: Quote explosion: 'Sneer of cold command' — analyze the connotations of 'sneer' and 'cold command'. How do they influence the reader’s perception of Ozymandias?

Answer: The words 'sneer' and 'cold command' suggest arrogance, cruelty, and emotional distance, portraying Ozymandias as a tyrannical ruler whose power is devoid of compassion, reinforcing themes of tyranny and hubris.

Question 2: Identify a metaphor in the poem and discuss its impact.

Answer: The 'colossal Wreck' is a metaphor for the ruined statue, representing the inevitable decline of all human power and pride over time.

Question 1: Discuss how Shelley presents the theme of the impermanence of power in 'Ozymandias'.

Answer: Shelley uses the image of the ruined statue and the inscription to illustrate that power is temporary and ultimately subject to decay. The poem suggests that no matter how mighty a ruler, time will erode their achievements, leaving only memories and ruins.

Question 2: How does the poem reflect on the relationship between art, memory, and power?

Answer: The poem shows that art and monuments are attempts to preserve power and memory, but ultimately, they are vulnerable to decay, making their message transient.

Question 1: Compare how Shelley and Browning depict the abuse or display of power. Use specific examples from both poems.

Answer: Shelley depicts power as transient and ultimately futile, emphasizing decay and the passage of time, while Browning presents a more personal and manipulative view of power, as seen in the Duke’s possessiveness and control, highlighting different aspects of authority and its effects.