Ozymandias is a poem written by Percy Bysshe Shelley in 1818. It tells the story of a once-powerful king whose empire has crumbled, leaving only a broken statue in the desert. The poem explores themes of power, pride, and the transience of human life.

1. What is the central message of Ozymandias?


The central message of Ozymandias is the transience of human life and the futility of power and pride.



2. What does the broken statue in the desert symbolize?


The broken statue in the desert symbolizes the downfall of Ozymandias' empire and the fleeting nature of human achievements.



3. What literary devices are used in the poem?


The poem uses several literary devices, including imagery, metaphor, and irony. For example, the description of the "vast and trunkless legs of stone" creates a vivid image of the broken statue, while the metaphor of the "king of kings" emphasizes Ozymandias' pride and arrogance. The irony of the inscription on the statue, which boasts of Ozymandias' power and greatness, is also a key literary device in the poem.



4. What is the significance of the title, "Ozymandias"?


The title "Ozymandias" is a reference to the Greek name for Ramses II, an Egyptian pharaoh who ruled in the 13th century BCE. The choice of this name emphasizes the theme of power and the idea that even the greatest rulers will eventually be forgotten.



5. What is the tone of the poem?


The tone of the poem is ironic and melancholy. While the description of the broken statue is vivid and powerful, there is also a sense of sadness and futility in the poem's message.

In conclusion, Ozymandias is a powerful poem that explores themes of power, pride, and the transience of human life. By examining the broken statue of a once-great king, Shelley reminds us of the fleeting nature of human achievements and the ultimate futility of power and pride.

A) Describe the statue as seen by the traveller.
b) What was the contrasting element near the statue and what does it convey to humanity?
c) Whose greatness is glorified? Was it the appearance of the king on the statue or the sculptor who made the statue or the force of nature? Justify your answer.
d) What did the traveller tell the narrator about what he saw in the ancient land?
e) What kind of expression did the human face have? What did it tell of the sculptor and the human being after whom he had carved that statue?
f) What else remained there beside the broken statue? What does it signify?
g) What is the message given indirectly in the poem?

III) Long answer type questions:

a)The futility of human beings is exposed in this poem. Discuss
b)What is the central idea of the poem?
c)The poem portrays the short living political power as against the force of time and nature. Discuss
d)What does the traveller tell the narrator of what he saw in a desert?