Ozymandias

Q Who is the author of the poem "Ozymandias"?

Percy Bysshe Shelley.

Q What type of poem is "Ozymandias"?

It is a sonnet.

Q What does the speaker meet in the poem?

The speaker meets a traveler from an ancient land.

Q What does the traveler tell the speaker about?

The traveler tells the speaker about a ruined statue in the desert.

Q Describe the condi on of the statue men oned in the poem.

The statue consists of two vast, trunkless legs of stone, and nearby lies a sha ered visage with a stern
expression.

Q What emo ons are conveyed by the sha ered visage of the statue?

The sha ered visage conveys a frown, a wrinkled lip, and a sneer of cold command.

Q What does the poem suggest about the sculptor of the statue?

The poem suggests that the sculptor had a deep understanding of the subject's character, as the
passions of the subject are well captured in the sculpture.

Q What is inscribed on the pedestal of the statue?

The pedestal bears the inscrip on: "My name is Ozymandias, king of kings; Look on my works, ye Mighty,
and despair!"

Q What is Ozymandias claiming in the inscrip on?

Ozymandias is claiming to be a great and powerful king, and he challenges other powerful individuals to
admire his works and feel inferior.

Q What is the traveler's response to the inscrip on?

The traveler tells the speaker that there is nothing le to see but the "lone and level sands" of the
desert.

Q What is the central theme of "Ozymandias"?

The central theme is the impermanence of human achievements and the fu lity of seeking eternal glory
through material means.
 Ozymandias

Q What is the significance of the tle "Ozymandias"?

"Ozymandias" is the Greek name for the Egyp an pharaoh Ramesses II, sugges ng that the poem is
about the fall of a powerful ruler.

Q Who is the speaker of the poem?

The speaker is someone who listens to the traveler's account of the ruined statue.

Q What is the tone of the poem?

The tone of the poem is reflec ve and contempla ve.

Q What does the phrase "king of kings" imply about Ozymandias?

The phrase "king of kings" implies that Ozymandias considered himself the most powerful ruler in the
world.

Q How does the poem use irony?

The poem uses irony by contras ng Ozymandias's proud inscrip on with the image of the ruined statue
and the barren desert.

Q What is the significance of the word "despair" in the inscrip on?

In the context of the inscrip on, "despair" means feeling overwhelmed or defeated by the greatness of
Ozymandias's works.

Q What is the message conveyed by the poem's tle and the inscrip on?

The tle and the inscrip on convey the message that even the migh est rulers and their empires will
eventually fade into obscurity.

Q How does the poem's structure reinforce its theme?

The structure of the poem reinforces the theme by juxtaposing the inscrip on's grandiose claims with
the reality of the ruined statue.

Q What is the rela onship between the past and the present in the poem?

The poem juxtaposes the past glory of Ozymandias with the present desola on, highligh ng the passage
of me.

Q What is the significance of the statue's facial expressions?

The facial expressions suggest the ruler's arrogance and contempt for others, emphasizing his downfall.

Q What is the role of the sculptor in the poem's narra ve?

The sculptor is implied to have accurately captured Ozymandias's personality and character in the
statue's expression.
 Ozymandias

Q How does the poem explore the concept of hubris?

The poem explores hubris by showing how Ozymandias's pride and arrogance are ul mately humbled by
the passage of me.

Q What does the word "desert" symbolize in the poem?

The desert symbolizes isola on, desola on, and the harshness of me's passage.

Q What is the significance of the word "trunkless" in the poem?

The word "trunkless" emphasizes the absence of the upper body, including the torso and head, in the
statue.

Q How does "Ozymandias" fit into the Roman c literary movement?

The poem fits into the Roman c movement by exploring the sublime in nature and the emo onal
response to the passage of me.

Q What is the role of nature in "Ozymandias"?

Nature is portrayed as both a witness to the passage of me and a force that eventually reclaims all
things, including human achievements.

Q What is the poem's a tude towards historical monuments and legacies?

The poem suggests that historical monuments and legacies can crumble and be forgo en over me,
highligh ng their impermanence.

Q What does the poem suggest about the power of art and language?

The poem suggests that art and language can outlive the physical world, as the inscrip on on the
pedestal s ll exists even though the statue has crumbled.

Q What is the message conveyed by the poem's final lines?

The final lines emphasize the complete absence of Ozymandias's once-great civiliza on and the
overwhelming dominance of the desert landscape.

Q How does the poem use allitera on and assonance for poe c effect?

The poem uses allitera on and assonance to create rhythm and sound effects, such as "sneer of cold
command" and "Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!"

Q What is the significance of the word "lone" in the final lines?

The word "lone" emphasizes the isola on and desola on of the desert landscape, contras ng with
Ozymandias's claims of greatness.
 Ozymandias

Q What is the role of me in the poem's narra ve?

Time is portrayed as a powerful force that erases the memory of Ozymandias's achievements and
reduces his empire to ruins.

Q What does the poem suggest about the passage of me and its impact on human endeavors?

The poem suggests that me is relentless in its erosion of human achievements, ul mately rendering
them insignificant.

Q How does "Ozymandias" engage with the theme of the human condi on?

The poem explores the human condi on by depic ng the hubris and impermanence of human power
and ambi on.

Q What is the significance of the word "Nothing" in the poem's final lines?

The word "Nothing" underscores the absence of Ozymandias's once-great civiliza on and serves as a
stark contrast to his claims of grandeur.

Q How does the poem address the theme of mortality?

The poem addresses the theme of mortality by showing how even the migh est rulers are not exempt
from the ravages of me and eventual oblivion.

Q What historical and cultural context might have influenced Shelley's choice of subject in
"Ozymandias"?

The fascina on with ancient civiliza ons and archaeological discoveries of Shelley's me, such as the
Rose a Stone, likely influenced his choice of an Egyp an theme and the concept of the passage of me.

Q How does Shelley's personal background and experiences relate to the themes of the poem?

Shelley's own travels and experiences may have contributed to his apprecia on of nature and the
impermanence of human power, which are central themes in "Ozymandias."

Q What is the significance of the sha ered visage's expression in the poem's descrip on?

The expression of the sha ered visage conveys a sense of the ruler's pride and authority, which have
now crumbled along with the statue.

Q How does the poem explore the idea of legacy and fame?

The poem ques ons the no on of leaving a las ng legacy and fame through grandiose claims and
material achievements, sugges ng that true greatness may not be found in such endeavors.
 Ozymandias

Q What role did literary journals and periodicals play in the dissemina on and recep on of poetry during
Shelley's me, including "Ozymandias"?

Literary journals and periodicals were crucial for publishing and sharing poetry during the Roman c era.
"Ozymandias" gained recogni on through its publica on in such journals.

Q How did Shelley's friendship with other Roman c poets, such as Lord Byron and John Keats, influence
his poetry, including "Ozymandias"?

Shelley's interac ons with other Roman c poets likely contributed to his explora on of themes related
to nature, power, and the human condi on, which are prominent in "Ozymandias."

Q What are some possible interpreta ons of the sha ered visage's "sneer of cold command"?

The "sneer of cold command" can be interpreted as a representa on of the ruler's authoritarian and
domineering personality, as well as his contempt for others.

Q What is the significance of the word "vast" in the descrip on of the statue's legs?

The word "vast" emphasizes the scale of the statue and the ruler's once-great power.

Q What is the symbolic significance of the lone and level sands stretching "far away" in the poem's
closing lines?

The lone and level sands symbolize the vastness of me and the relentless march of nature, which
ul mately swallows up human achievements.

Q How does "Ozymandias" engage with the Roman c concept of the sublime in nature?

The poem engages with the Roman c concept of the sublime by portraying the desert landscape as both
awe-inspiring and overwhelming, highligh ng the insignificance of human endeavors.

Q What are some possible explana ons for why Ozymandias's works have disappeared, as suggested in
the poem?

Possible explana ons include the ravages of me, the erosion of the desert environment, and the
decline of his empire.

Q What is the contrast between the inscrip on and the reality of the statue in "Ozymandias"?

The contrast is between the inscrip on's proud claims of power and greatness and the actual state of the
statue in ruins, underscoring the theme of impermanence.

Q How does "Ozymandias" challenge tradi onal ideas of power and permanence?

"Ozymandias" challenges tradi onal no ons of power and permanence by depic ng a once-mighty ruler
whose authority and achievements have crumbled, highligh ng the transient nature of human glory.
 Ozymandias

REFERENCE TO CONTEXT

Ques on: Who is the speaker of the poem, and how does the traveler describe the statue?

Relevant Stanza: "I met a traveller from an an que land Who said: Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the desart."

Ques on from Stanza 2:

Ques on: What emo ons and characteris cs are conveyed by the sha ered visage, and how do they
contrast with the inscrip on?

Relevant Stanza: "Half sunk, a sha ered visage lies, whose frown, And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold
command, Tell that its sculptor well those passions read."

Ques on from Stanza 3:

Ques on: What does the inscrip on on the pedestal claim about Ozymandias, and how does it
emphasize his pride?

Relevant Stanza: "And on the pedestal these words appear: 'My name is Ozymandias, king of kings; Look
on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!'"

Ques on from Stanza 4:

Ques on: What is the significance of the word "Nothing" in the poem's final lines, and what does it
represent?

Relevant Stanza: "Nothing beside remains. Round the decay Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare
The lone and level sands stretch far away."

Ques on from Stanza 1:

Ques on: What is the loca on and condi on of the statue that the traveler describes?

Relevant Stanza: "Two vast and trunkless legs of stone Stand in the desart."

Ques on from Stanza 2:

Ques on: How does the sha ered visage's expression reflect the subject's character and authority?

Relevant Stanza: "And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command, Tell that its sculptor well those passions
read."
 Ozymandias

Ques on from Stanza 3:

Ques on: What emo ons or thoughts might be invoked in those who read the inscrip on on the
pedestal?

Relevant Stanza: "Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!'"

Ques on from Stanza 4:

Ques on: What does the phrase "colossal wreck" suggest about the statue's current state?

Relevant Stanza: "Round the decay Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare."

Ques on from Stanza 1:

Ques on: What does the term "an que land" imply about the traveler's origin, and why is it significant?

Relevant Stanza: "I met a traveller from an an que land Who said: Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the desart."

Ques on from Stanza 2:

Ques on: How does the poem use visual imagery to convey the statue's appearance and the emo ons
of the subject?

Relevant Stanza: "And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command, Tell that its sculptor well those passions
read."

Ques on from Stanza 3:

Ques on: What might be the intended effect of the inscrip on's challenge to "Look on my works, ye
Mighty, and despair!"?

Relevant Stanza: "Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!'"

Ques on from Stanza 4:

Ques on: How does the word "boundless" in the final lines contribute to the poem's overall tone and
message?

Relevant Stanza: "Round the decay Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare."
 Ozymandias

ANSWERS

Ques on from Stanza 1:

Answer: The speaker of the poem is someone who encounters a traveler from an ancient or "an que
land." The traveler describes a ruined statue in the desert, specifically two vast and trunkless legs of
stone.

Ques on from Stanza 2:

Answer: The sha ered visage is described as having a frown, a wrinkled lip, and a sneer of cold
command. These characteris cs suggest that the subject was a stern and authoritarian figure.

Ques on from Stanza 3:

Answer: The inscrip on on the pedestal claims that the statue represents "Ozymandias, king of kings"
and challenges other powerful individuals to admire his works and feel inferior. It emphasizes
Ozymandias's pride and arrogance.

Ques on from Stanza 4:

Answer: In the final lines of the poem, the word "Nothing" signifies the absence of Ozymandias's once-
great civiliza on and empire. It represents the total decay and oblitera on of his works.

Ques on from Stanza 1:

Answer: The statue is located in the desert and consists of two massive and trunkless legs of stone. It is
described as being par ally buried in the sand.

Ques on from Stanza 2:

Answer: The sha ered visage's expression conveys quali es such as sternness, authority, and disdain.
These emo ons contrast with the inscrip on, which boasts of Ozymandias's greatness.

Ques on from Stanza 3:

Answer: The inscrip on on the pedestal claims that Ozymandias is the "king of kings" and challenges
others to admire his works with a sense of despair and awe. It underscores Ozymandias's pride and
belief in the las ng significance of his achievements.

Ques on from Stanza 4:

Answer: The phrase "colossal wreck" suggests that the statue, once grand and imposing, is now in a state
of ruin and decay. It has crumbled over me.
 Ozymandias

Ques on from Stanza 1:

Answer: The term "an que land" implies that the traveler is from a distant and ancient civiliza on. It is
significant because it adds an air of mystery and exo cism to the traveler's account.

Ques on from Stanza 2:

Answer: The poem uses visual imagery to vividly describe the statue's appearance, especially the
sha ered visage with its frown, wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command. These details help the reader
visualize the statue and its emo onal impact.

Ques on from Stanza 3:

Answer: The inscrip on's challenge to "Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!" is intended to
impress upon others the greatness and power of Ozymandias. It aims to make them feel small and
insignificant in comparison.

Ques on from Stanza 4:

Answer: The word "boundless" in the final lines contributes to the poem's overall tone of vastness and
emp ness. It suggests that the desert, with its lone and level sands, extends endlessly, underscoring the
idea of the passage of me and the insignificance of human achievements.

These answers provide insight into the poem's themes, imagery, and the significance of its elements.