Q1. Analyse the poem with reference to the following and create a mind map.
Setting
Speaker
Nature of Sculptor
Nature of Ozymandias
Condition of the statue.
- Answer. Setting: The poem is set in a desert where a traveler discovers the broken remains of a statue. It symbolizes the passage of time and the inevitable decline of power.
- Speaker: The speaker is a traveler recounting what they saw, describing the ruins of Ozymandias’s statue to the reader.
- Nature of Sculptor: The sculptor had great skill, as he was able to capture Ozymandias’s emotions in the statue. He read the king’s pride and arrogance and imprinted it on stone.
- Nature of Ozymandias: Ozymandias was a proud, arrogant king who believed in his greatness and power. His ego was large, and he considered himself immortal in fame and legacy.
- Condition of the Statue: The statue is broken and worn down, with only parts of it remaining. This symbolizes how time erodes all, even the mightiest symbols of human pride and power.
Q2.Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.
Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,
The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed.
a. How do we know that he was a good sculptor?
Answer: We know he was a good sculptor because he skillfully captured the king’s pride and emotions on the statue, making them appear alive even on lifeless stone.
b. What does the poet mean by ‘lifeless things’?
Answer: ‘Lifeless things’ refers to the broken pieces of the statue, which are made of stone and no longer hold the power or personality of the king they represent.
c. What does the phrase ‘those passions…. yet survive’ imply?
Answer: This phrase implies that even though the statue is broken, the king’s pride and arrogance are still visible in its expression as if his emotions have survived beyond his life.
d. Complete the sentence appropriately.
It is clear that ‘synecdoche’ is the poetic device used for ‘The hand that mocked them’ because
Answer: It is clear that ‘synecdoche’ is the poetic device used for ‘The hand that mocked them’ because the hand represents the sculptor’s skill and creativity.
e. Give the antonym of ‘praised’ from the given extract.
Answer: The antonym of ‘praised’ is ‘mocked.’
Q3. Answer the following questions in 30-40 words.
a. How did the sculptor capture the king’s emotions?
Answer: The sculptor captured Ozymandias’s emotions by carving his proud, arrogant expression into the stone. He skillfully portrayed the king’s powerful personality, showing his disdain for others and his sense of superiority.
b. How was the statue destroyed?
Answer: The statue was destroyed over time by natural forces. The harsh desert conditions caused it to erode and break into pieces, leaving only parts of it standing, scattered across the sand.
c. Art is immortal. Explain this statement in view of the poem.
Answer: Art is immortal because even though the king and his kingdom have vanished, the statue’s remains still communicate his pride and the sculptor’s skill, showing how art can outlast the subjects it represents.
Q4. The poem makes certain suggestions about the aspects of life. Darken one circle deeply for the aspect that matches the statement.
| Aspect Suggestions | Arrogance | Art | Fame and Wealth | Human Achievement | Nature | Power |
| If it is made by suppressing others, then it is irrelevant and temporary. | ||||||
| If it is in excess, then it results in one’s downfall. | ||||||
| It will last forever. | ||||||
| If the leader does not value his subjects, then he is considered unjust or tyrannical. | ||||||
| It is unaffected by time and can easily destroy anything man makes. | ||||||
| It does not remain forever, as once a human being dies, it cannot be taken forward. |
Answer:
| Aspect Suggestions | Arrogance | Art | Fame and Wealth | Human Achievement | Nature | Power |
| If it is made by suppressing others, then it is irrelevant and temporary. | ● | |||||
| If it is in excess, then it results in one’s downfall. | ● | |||||
| It will last forever. | ● | |||||
| If the leader does not value his subjects, then he is considered unjust or tyrannical. | ● | |||||
| It is unaffected by time and can easily destroy anything man makes. | ● | |||||
| It does not remain forever, as once a human being dies, it cannot be taken forward. | ● |
Q5. My view point
Irony is a technique that marks surprising, interesting or amusing contradiction. The writer may want to convey the complete opposite of what is written. What is ironic about the message written on the pedestal considering the condition of the colossal statue? Why is it ironic that the poem has survived for all these years
Answer: Irony in the Poem
Irony in “Ozymandias” emerges from the message written on the pedestal. The inscription proudly boasts of Ozymandias’s greatness and his unmatched power, urging people to look upon his works and despair. However, the reality is that his grand empire has faded, and all that remains is the broken statue in a vast, empty desert. The irony is that Ozymandias’s claim to eternal greatness is disproven by the statue’s ruin and the oblivion of his empire. Additionally, the poem itself has survived longer than the king’s legacy, suggesting that art and words can outlast earthly power.