POETRY 3 : Ozymandias ENGLISH [Communicative] - POETRY 3 : Ozymandias

Near them, on the sand,
Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown,
And wrinkled lip and sneer of cold command. (Ozymandias)

(i) What lay near the trunkless legs of stone?
(ii) Describe the expression on the face of the visage.
(iii) What does’sneer of cold command’mean?
(iv) What do you mean by ‘shattered’?

“My name is Ozymandias, king of kings:
Look upon my works, ye Mighty, and despair!"
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare
The lone and level sands stretch far away.

I How does the phrase ‘king of kings’ reflect Ozymandias’ perception of himself?

II What does the line ‘Look upon my works, ye Mighty, and despair!’ imply about Ozymandias’ intentions for future rulers? 

III How does the imagery of ‘boundless and bare’ and ‘lone and level sands’ challenge Ozymandias’ boast?

IV What message does the phrase “Nothing beside remains” convey about human ambition?

How effective is the use of the phrase "Nothing beside remains", in conveying the theme of the transience and impermanence of power and human achievement, in Ozymandias by P.B.Shelley?

What message is conveyed through this poem?

What is your impression of Ozymandias as a king?

Bring out the irony in the poem.

“Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair !” Who is Ozymandias referring to when . he speaks of ye Mighty? Why should they despair?

Ozymandias’ and ‘Not Marble, nor the Gilded Monuments’ are on Time. Compare the two sonnets in terms of the way in which Time is treated by the poets.

Identify and rewrite the lines from the poem spoken by the narrator, the traveller and Ozymandias:

Write a letter to your friend about the sight you saw and your impression of it.

The poem, ‘Ozymandias’ highlights the vanity of human glory and power. Elaborate.