MLD and Ozymandia Flashcards
Paragraph 1pride
theme of pride is key in both. Use a statue of pharaoh to symbolise human pride and power.
“ sneer of cold command”
Deliberately crafts as arrogant and egotistical, who enjoy spreading fear .
Alliteration of cold command, suggests Ozymandias is controlling and lacking in human feeling . No empathy, but wants to dominate perhaps violently.
Presents pride as sinister and frightening, which is a reinforced in the “look upon my works ye mighty and despair!”
Obsessed with how people view him which emphasises the arrogance. an allegory for King George the third, who ruled Britain in 18th century.
As a romantic poet, Shelley passionately believe that all human beings were equal and was opposed to the monarchy. However, it was extremely dangerous to express the views, so he has hidden political messages in their poems.
Para 2 pride
“My nine hundred year old name whod stoop to blame”
On a literal level this line shows the Dukes male centre pride. He won’t lower himself to talk to his wife, and confront her about his fears, as it would show him as paranoid and weak.
Also suggests there is no point in arguing with a woman as she is below him and incapable of rational thinking and shouldn’t have to have to explain to her - she should be obedient
Shows he holds powerful status within society boasting about this, but also a reflection about how the woman is owned by her husband as she has taken his name so has lost all legal rights .
“ notice, Neptune… thought, a rarity”
The metaphor of Neptune suggests he sees himself as God, like men are gods that must team their wives. This shows excessive hubris. Shows that the truth is extremely materialistic as he condemns he found in nature, beautiful places lots of value on a statue with the adjective.
Clearly thinks his own wealth and status should be seen as more valuable than anything more
Paragraph 3 pride is unfounded
Shelley describes the statue as a colossal wreck and refers to two vast and trunkless legs. Here is the use of juxtaposition emphasises how fragile and temporary human power is. Sibilance - sound of desert create eerie tone intimidating atm
The image of a shattered visage creates a sense of irony King, who believed to strongly in his own power, who tried so hard to percent, greatness through a statue has now been forgotten and destroyed by time
Adj convey idea statue is enormous and intimidating. Ths pthers suggest broken upon repair
Shelley uses the desert surrounding the wreckage of the statue .
“Boundless and bare the lone and sand and stretch far away “
Alliteration, plosive, connect, uncontrolled power of the desert implies. It has no limit on like the statue.
Sand is often associated with time showing how time can erase power of man sans have covered over his memory
Desserts power is eternal and has no limit
It will last forever unlike statute.
Remind King George the third, but his power is artificial and will eventually end
Paragraph for human power, unfounded
Reduce power is constantly undermined by his insecurity and natural beauty
Her, husband’s presents only called that spot of joy onto the Duchess cheek
Suggests he is jealous an arrogant believes his presence is the only thing to bring joy then, and present suggests that his more existence should be enough to make her happy
Unreasonable to expect her to only game join from her husband, her life has the aim of pleasing and to be pleased by him. Presents him as paranoid and insecure.
Also, undermined by nature “ bough of cherries from an officious fool”
He wants his wealth and status to be more important shows his materialism doesn’t value, natural beauty and natural pleasures. She’s here liking other things as a criticism of himself, present him as insecure.
Is evidently hate his pride, as he is not unique relying on controlling women to make himself feel powerful undesirable sense of underlying vulnerability.
Robert browning was a poet who was known for irony, characterisation, dark humour, and social commentary. He had progressive political views for his era, for example women’s rights. He is making the Duke look insecure and a mockery because he expects women to be passive.
Paragraph 5 - subjects of oppression
Ozymandias, as a symbol of institutes for all figures of power.
wrinkled lip, sneer of cold command” disregard of subjects. shows danger of a single individual having unlimited power as it enables them to see others and inferior.
apathy is then paired with immense power which allows him to exploit those below him. grimacing in discust displaying his disregard ofr subjects.
Obsessed with how people view him which emphasises the arrogance. an allegory for King George the third, who ruled Britain in 18th century.
As a romantic poet, Shelley passionately believe that all human beings were equal and was opposed to the monarchy. However, it was extremely dangerous to express the views, so he has hidden political messages in their poems.
Paragraph 6
In my last duchess, the Duchess, is the subject of oppression
“ my last duchess, looking as if he were alive”
Dark and sinister, undertones suggestion that she is that the following caesura are following, it, creates a massive pause select implication to marinate.
She is named by her title, suggesting a loss of identity. She was someone fulfilling the role. possessive, pronoun, values, ownership and control. He is someone who values, titles over love. The line is ominous as it suggests the Duke viewing the subject of her death as a piece of art rather than a sentiment.
“ I gave commands, then, all smiles, stopped together”
Did he kill her or did he give orders for her to be kills? Euphemism for him is that shows the power he has can’t kill her with no consequences, but also shows an overreaction Mae that is shown as a sign of lack of control..
The poem was set in renaissance, Italy. Could be based on a true story of Alphonso.11 Duke of ferira, who is a member of a prominent family, whose fifth wife died in mysterious circumstances. Women were ultimately seen as a property and incapable of thought.
