Q2. Answer the following questions in 30-40 words each.

How many voices and settings can be identified in the poem?

Answer. The poem features three distinct voices: the narrator, the traveller, and King Ozymandias as conveyed through the inscription. The narrative transitions from the dialogue between the narrator and the traveller to the expansive, barren desert that houses the remnants of Ozymandias’s statue, highlighting the inexorable passage of time and the decline of the king’s formerly powerful empire.

What did the traveller see in the desert?

  Answer. The traveller saw the shattered remains of a colossal statue. Two large stone legs stood upright, while the broken face lay half-buried in the sand. The scene was surrounded by a vast, empty desert, symbolizing the decay of Ozymandias’s once-glorious kingdom and the fleeting nature of human power.

What quality of King Ozymandias does the poem reflect?

   Answer. The poem reflects Ozymandias’s arrogance, pride, and belief in his invincibility. His desire for eternal recognition is evident in the grand statue and boastful inscription. However, the poem reveals the futility of his hubris, as all that remains of his empire are ruins in a barren desert.

Explain the lines – ‘The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed.

Answer.  These lines refer to the sculptor who skilfully depicted Ozymandias’s emotions and arrogance in the statue. “Mocked” signifies the artist’s ability to capture the king’s sneer, while “fed” represents the ruler’s ambition and the passion that fuelled his empire, now immortalized in the decaying ruins.

Q3. Answer the following questions in 80 -100 words.

In the poem ‘Ozymandias’ how does the poet show that art and language outlive the other symbols of power

Answer. The poet emphasizes the timeless quality of art and language as demonstrated by the sculptor’s creation and the inscription on the pedestal. Although Ozymandias’s empire and his physical might have disappeared, the craftsmanship of the sculptor and the words inscribed on the pedestal endure as a testament to his former greatness. This juxtaposition illustrates how art and language preserve history and sentiment, transcending the tangible symbols of power that are ultimately eroded by time and nature. The fragmented statue continues to express the king’s pride, immortalized through artistic expression.

Bring out the irony in the words, “My name is Ozymandias, king of kings, look on my works, ye mighty, and despair! as inscribed on pedestal of the statue.

Answer. The irony is evident in Ozymandias’s intention behind these words, which were meant to instill fear in others by demonstrating his unparalleled authority. Yet, his once-great empire has vanished, leaving only a shattered statue in a desolate wasteland. Rather than evoking admiration, the remnants elicit a feeling of futility, illustrating how time ultimately diminishes even the most powerful leaders. The statement, originally intended to honor his legacy, ironically highlights the ephemeral quality of power and human accomplishments.

How is the futility of power and riches conveyed in the poem ‘Ozymandias’?

Answer. The poem illustrates the emptiness of power and wealth by portraying the broken statue of Ozymandias in a barren desert. In spite of his hubris and vast empire, all that endures of his legacy are mere remnants. The stark landscape, along with the juxtaposition of his proud inscription and the deteriorated condition of his statue, highlights the fleeting essence of affluence and dominion. Ultimately, time and nature will diminish even the most formidable leaders to insignificance, demonstrating that neither power nor riches can endure the passage of time.