Textbook Solutions: Ozymandias | Buzzword Class 7: Book Solutions, Summaries & Worksheets PDF Download

(A) Answers to the Questions

1.
Ans: The traveler had come from an antique land.

2.
Ans: The traveler describes the statue of Ozymandias as having "two vast and trunkless legs of stone" standing in the desert. Near these legs, on the sand, lies a shattered visage or a broken face. The face has a frown, a wrinkled lip, and a sneer of cold command.

3.
Ans: A shattered visage means a broken or ruined face. In the context of the poem, it refers to the damaged and partially buried face of the statue of Ozymandias, which has been eroded and damaged over time.

4.
Ans: When the traveler says, "Nothing beside remains," he means that there is nothing left or standing near the statue of Ozymandias. All that remains is the ruined statue itself, and everything else that Ozymandias may have built or achieved has disappeared or been lost to the ravages of time.

5.
Ans: The "lone and level sands" represent the vast, empty, and flat desert landscape that stretches far and wide around the statue of Ozymandias. They symbolize the relentless, unchanging, and timeless nature of the desert, highlighting the contrast between the grandeur Ozymandias once claimed and the desolation that now surrounds it.

(B) Think and answer.

1.
Ans: Yes, I agree with this statement. The poem "Ozymandias" by Percy Bysshe Shelley underscores the power and inevitability of natural forces, such as time and the desert landscape. Ozymandias, the king of kings, may have been a powerful and proud ruler in his time, but his colossal statue now lies in ruins, and his once-boastful inscription "Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!" has become ironic. The poem teaches us that human accomplishments and power are fleeting in the face of nature's enduring and unstoppable forces. It is a reminder of the impermanence of human achievements and the ultimate insignificance of human pride in the grand scheme of things.

2.
Ans: Yes, the poem "Ozymandias" remains relevant in contemporary times and culture. Its themes of the transience of human power and the enduring nature of natural forces are timeless and can be applied to various aspects of modern society. In today's world, where people often boast about their achievements, wealth, or authority, the poem serves as a reminder that even the mightiest can be humbled by time and nature. Additionally, the poem can be related to contemporary concerns about environmental degradation and the impact of human activities on nature. It highlights the idea that nature will outlast human endeavors, and it encourages us to be mindful of our impact on the environment. In essence, "Ozymandias" continues to resonate with audiences today by conveying a universal message about the impermanence of human power and the enduring influence of nature.