Ozymandias v. the prelude Flashcards
THEMES OF BOTH
- nature is ultimately more powerful than mankind
- hubris/ pride being the cause of downfall
- themes connecting to context of romantic poets
STRUCTURE OF OZYMANDIAS
irregular rhyme scheme that contrasts the single stanza form. the irregularity suggests a lack of control but the single stanza reflects order- reflecting on the contrast between the power ozymandias did have v. the chaos/ lack of power now seen.
- blend of Petrarchan and Shakespearean sonnets, has 14 lines with iambic pentameter but the rhyme scheme goes against sonnet form showing how poetry can defy tradition and conventions can be changed (common theme of romantic poets)
STRUCTURE OF EXTRACT FROM THE PRELUDE
Written as an epic poem, lengthy narrative focused around a heroic protagonist.
single stanza emphasises the overwhelming power of nature, it is heightened due to no breaks, breathless feeling.
this feeling is intensified by the enjambment and connectives giving the reader no pauses- endless stream of fear?
cyclical- emphasise the internal and psychological changes ends and starts w/ mooring of the boat.
PERSPECTIVE OF BOTH
the prelude- autobiographical, 1st person narration that makes use of past tense and present shows how the experience of nature has shaped the way he as an individual lives.
Ozymandias-1st person but the speaker isnt named, omniscient.
detached narrative to distance himself from political messages of the poem.
THEME 1- nature is ultimately more powerful than mankind.
QUOTES
ozymandias- “ round the decay of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare the lone and level sands stretch far away”
“half sunk a shattered visage lies”
the prelude- “ there hung a darkness, call it solitude
or blank desertion”
“but huge and mighty forms, that do not live like living men” “were a trouble to my dreams”
why do both poems explore the idea that nature is ultimately more powerful than mankind?
it acts as a criticism to power of humans- nature can erase the power of man, shows how nature can always prevail.
things will be forgotten by history and all that will be remembered is the cruelty and corruption of power.
THEME 2- hubris/pride being the cause of downfall
QUOTES
ozymandias- “ wrinkled lip and sneer of cold command”
“on the pedestal, these words appear, My name is ozymandias king of kings”
the prelude- “proud of his skill, to reach a chosen point with an unswerving line, i fixed my view”
why do both writers explore hubris/ pride being the cause of downfall ?
to create a sense of irony for the readers and show how they both are deceived into a false sense of control in thinking that nature and mankind are united.
also highlights how pride often acts as a precursor to a lesson in literature.
highlights the arrogance and ignorance of humanity.
THEME 3- romantic context
(QUOTES LINK TO ALL ABOVE)
both poets are romantic poets, in favour of resisting growth in industry- wants to remember a simpler, more natural past.
more interested in the power of nature, humanity and emotion.
used everyday language accessible to all
presented themes that challenged people’s preconceived perceptions
a general dislike of imposing power.
