Poetry Flashcards
What is the main theme of ‘Ozymandias’?
The insignificance of human achievements compared to the passing of time
The poem illustrates how even great power and civilization ultimately fade.
Who is Ozymandias a representation of?
Ramesses II, a ruler of Ancient Egypt
Ozymandias is another name for Ramesses II.
What does the inscription on the statue of Ozymandias say?
“My name is Ozymandias, king of kings: Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!”
This highlights the ruler’s arrogance and belief in his own power.
What type of poem is ‘Ozymandias’?
Sonnet
It has a turning-point (volta) at line 9 and uses iambic pentameter.
What is the significance of the desert setting in ‘Ozymandias’?
It emphasizes the insignificance of the statue and the passing of time
The vast desert represents emptiness and the decay of human achievements.
What does Shelley use to convey the theme of irony in ‘Ozymandias’?
The contrast between the ruler’s proud inscription and the ruins of the statue
This reflects the temporary nature of political power.
What type of language is used to describe the ruler’s tyranny in ‘Ozymandias’?
Aggressive language
This suggests the ruler’s oppressive nature.
Fill in the blank: The poem’s structure builds an image of the statue by focusing on different parts in _______.
turn
This approach allows for a gradual reveal of the statue’s significance.
What does the phrase ‘trunkless legs of stone’ imply about the statue?
It suggests incompleteness and the loss of human power
The absence of the torso symbolizes the fragility of human achievement.
What is the role of art according to ‘Ozymandias’?
Art can preserve elements of human existence but is also temporary
The poem suggests that while art outlasts human power, it too is subject to decay.
How does the poem reflect Shelley’s views on power and oppression?
It illustrates the temporary nature of power and the possibility of overturning oppression
Shelley’s radical political views are influenced by the events of the French Revolution.
True or False: The poem ‘Ozymandias’ follows a regular sonnet rhyme scheme.
False
The irregular rhyme scheme reflects the destruction of human power.
What feelings are suggested by the ruler’s pride in ‘Ozymandias’?
Arrogance and superiority
The ruler believed he was unparalleled among other rulers.
What is the significance of the phrase ‘Nothing beside remains’?
It underscores the futility of the ruler’s achievements
This line follows the ruler’s boastful inscription, highlighting the irony.
Fill in the blank: The poem portrays the power of _______ as ultimately greater than human power.
nature
Nature’s ability to ruin the statue symbolizes its dominance over human creations.
What period is known for the Romantic movement that influenced Shelley?
Late 1700s and early 1800s
Romantic poets emphasized emotion and nature over reason.
How does the narrator’s perspective in ‘Ozymandias’ affect the reader’s experience?
It creates distance by presenting a second-hand account
The narrator hears about the statue rather than witnessing it directly.
What does the term ‘colossal’ refer to in the context of the poem?
Very large
It describes the statue, emphasizing its original grandeur before decay.
What is the main theme of the poem ‘London’ by William Blake?
The theme revolves around the misery and despair experienced by individuals in the city.
What literary form is used in the poem ‘London’?
Dramatic monologue.
What rhyme scheme is employed in ‘London’?
ABAB rhyme scheme.
What does the term ‘chartered’ refer to in the context of the poem?
Mapped out or legally defined.
What is suggested by the phrase ‘mind-forged manacles’?
People are trapped by their own attitudes.