Short & Long Questions: Ozymandias | Short & Long Answer Questions for Class 10 PDF Download

Short Answer Type
Q1: Comment on the irony of the Pharaoh’s words, “Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!”
Ans: This quote implies that no one will ever surpass this work. One might even conclude from this that Ozymandias would even challenge God himself. The irony in this is that all that remains of the mighty zymandias is this broken statue, and that this statue, which was intended to create fear, now only creates wonder because of its ruined condition. The inscription is a verbal irony, for the words are egotistical but are etched on a broken statue that no longer makes other rulers fear.

Q2:  Briefly describe the statue of Ozymandias.
Ans: The statue is a huge one. Two trunkless legs of the statue of Ozymandias are still standing on a pedestal.
The half-broken face is lying shattered near the legs, half buried in the sand. There is an inscription on the pedestal that says, “My name is Ozymandias, king of kings: Look upon my works, ye Mighty, and despair!”

Q3: Describe the look on the face of the statue.
Ans: The expression on the face of the statue was that of sneering. It seemed as if the king was looking upon everyone with contempt.

Long Answer Type
Q4: As the traveller, write a diary entry about what you saw in the ancient land where you had gone on a visit.
Ans: I travelled to a place where an ancient civilisation once existed. I saw an old, dilapidated statue in the middle of the desert. The face of the statue looked stem and powerful. The sculptor did a good job at expressing the ruler’s personality which consisted of disdain and contempt for others.
The irony of the situation is reflected in the writing on the pedestal which said: “My name is Ozymandias, king of kings: Look upon my works, ye Mighty, and despair!” No other evidence of his strength except this giant, broken statue, could survive the  ravages of time. This incident reminds one of man’s mortality and how all his pride gets destroyed while only art remains.

Q5: As the sculptor, write a diary entry about the statue of Ozymandias you created.
Ans: Ozymandias commissioned me to create his statue. He is an arrogant ruler. Every time I look at him, I see disdain and contempt for others. He wants me to carve on the pedestal “My name is Ozymandias, king of kings: Look upon my works, ye Mighty, and despair!”
I wonder, will my art survive?

Q6: The proud Ozymandias lies forgotten in the desert. Comment.
Ans: In the inscription on the pedestal, Ozymandias calls himself the “king of kings” while also implying that his “works” will be unsurpassed and remembered for eternity. The proud Ozymandias thinks highly of himself and of what he has achieved, both politically and artistically.