OZYMANDIAS
Who wrote Ozymandias : Percy Bysshe Shelley
Short and very short questions-answers (1/2 marks) of Shelley's 'Ozymandias':
Q. Which king is referred to in the poem ‘Ozymandias of Egypt’? (Ozymandias meaning)
Ans: King Ramesses II.
Q. What type of a poem is ‘Ozymandias’?
Ans: Sonnet.
Q. Who tells the poet about the shattered statue?
Ans: The traveller.
Q. What is the rhyme scheme of ‘Ozymandias’?
Ans: ABABA CDCEDEFEF.
Q. What is ironic about the inscription on the pedestal of Ozymandias’s statue?
Ans: The inscription on the pedestal of Ozymandias statue is ironic because here, Ozymandias proudly claims that his power is unmatched and everlasting. In reality, his kingdom has vanished and his statue lies broken in the desert. This clearly shows that human power and glory do not last.
Q. What type of a poem is ‘Ozymandias’?
Ans: Sonnet.
Q. Who tells the poet about the shattered statue?
Ans: The traveller.
Q. What is the rhyme scheme of ‘Ozymandias’?
Ans: ABABA CDCEDEFEF.
Q. What is ironic about the inscription on the pedestal of Ozymandias’s statue?
Ans: The inscription on the pedestal of Ozymandias statue is ironic because here, Ozymandias proudly claims that his power is unmatched and everlasting. In reality, his kingdom has vanished and his statue lies broken in the desert. This clearly shows that human power and glory do not last.
Q. What is the only thing remaining in the vast desert?
Ans: The trunkless legs, the visage half-sank in the sand and the words on the pedestal are the only things remained in the vast desert.
Q. Who was Ozymandias?
Ans: Ozymandias was a powerful king of Egypt. He was proud and arrogant. He claimed himself to be the king of kings.
Q. What quality of Ozymandias does the narrator represent?
Ans: The narrator represents Ozymandias’s pride and arrogance. Through the description of the statue and its inscription, he shows how Ozymandias believed himself to be all-powerful and superior to others. This quality is later exposed as meaningless because time has destroyed his kingdom.
Q. “The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed”. Whose hand and heart has the poet referred to in this line?
Ans. In this line the hand and heart of the sculptor, who made the statue of the Ozymandias, has mentioned here.
[The sculptor’s hands, seemingly an instrument of the statue, have “mocked” the all-powerful chieftain, meaning both to imitate and ridicule. Lines 6 to 8 are grammatically ambiguous, and different meanings are possible, but one interpretation is that the artist’s “heart,” his sense of compassion and morality, still throbs in the otherwise lifeless head. In other words, love and truth ultimately triumph over cruel, autocratic intelligence.]
Q. “My name is Ozymandias, king of kings “. Why does Ozymandias refer to himself as ‘king of kings’? What quality of the king is revealed through this statement?
Ans. Ozymandias calls himself the “king of kings” because he thinks that he is greater and more powerful than all other rulers. This statement shows his extreme pride and arrogance.
Q. “Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair “! Who is Ozymandias referring to when he speaks Mighty? Why should they despair?
Ans. Ozymandias by the word “Mighty,” refers to other powerful kings and rulers. He believes that no one else can be as great or powerful as him so he asks other kings to look at his works and feel despair.
Q. 'Nothing beside remains.' What does the narrator mean when he says these words?
Ans. By saying “Nothing beside remains,” the narrator means that apart from the shattered statue, nothing of Ozymandias’s empire survives. His once‑great power has vanished, leaving only ruins in an empty desert.
OR The narrator means that apart from the ruined statue, everything Ozymandias built has vanished. His empire is gone, leaving only empty desert, showing how time erases human pride and power.
Q. What message is conveyed through this poem?
Ans: This poem conveys the ultimate truth of human lives that nothing lasts forever. Like Ozymandias's once-great power has vanished. However, the poet also conveys the power of art, which can outlive its creators and becomes immortal.
Q. ‘The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed’. Whose hand and heart has the poet referred to in this line?
Ans: The ‘hand’ refers to the sculptor’s hand and the ‘heart’ refers to the King’s heart.
Q. How does the poet describe the expression on Ozymandias’s face?
Ans: The face of ‘Ozymandias’ statue was shattered yet the sculptor of the statue was such a skilful artist that the expressions on his face were still very clear. The frown and hostility on the face of the statue revealed that Ozymandias was an arrogant and boastful king who looked down upon others.
Q. Explain the lines from the poem: 'The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed;'
Ans: In the line, "the hand" refers to the sculptor's skill in mocking king’s arrogance by capturing his haughty expression on his face. The "heart that fed" refers to how Ozymandias's pride and arrogance inspired the sculptor to build the statue.
Q. Bring out the irony in the poem.
Ans. In the poem 'Ozymandias', the irony irony lies where the so called 'great king' wanted everyone to admire his power and achievements forever, but what remains of him today is only a broken statue in the desert. The irony is that his boast about lasting glory now teaches that nothing lasts forever, and time destroys even the strongest rulers and empires.
Q. What does sand symbolise in the poem “Ozymandias”?
Ans. In the poem, sand symbolizes both nature’s power and the passage of time. It shows how Ozymandias’ statue and creation were destroyed and buried, reminding us that no matter how great human achievements seem, time and nature eventually erase them.
Q. What does the statue symbolise in the poem “Ozymandias”?
Ans. The statue of Ozymandias represents the power of human political institutions. It also symbolizes the strength of art, since the sculptor’s skill captured emotions and preserved truth beyond rulers’ intentions, even after decay.
Q. “Tell that its sculptor well those passions read / Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things”- What do you understand by the word “passions” in the above lines?
Ans. In these lines, “passions” means Ozymandias’s strong feelings, like pride and arrogance. The sculptor noticed these emotions and carved them into the statue skilfully. So, even after the statue was broken, they are visible even today.
Q. What does the poem suggest about Ozymandias’ pride and ambition?/How is Ozymandias’ pride revealed through the statue and inscription?
Ans. Ozymandias’ pride is shown in his boastful inscription and statue. He thought his power eternal, but the ruins prove that pride and empires fade with time.
Q. What is the theme of ‘Ozymandias’?
Ans. The central theme of P. B. Shelley's poem ‘Ozymandias’ is that human power and pride do not last forever. Even the strongest kings and empires eventually fade away. Nature and Time outlast all human achievements.
OR
Q. What message is conveyed through this poem?
Ans- The poem teaches us that human pride and power do not last forever. Time and nature eventually destroy all achievements, leaving only ruins as a warning against arrogance.
Q. What is the setting of the poem, ‘Ozymandias’?
Ans. The setting of the poem Ozymandias is an antique land. The traveller described the place as vast expanses of sand, and this ancient region has no signs of human civilization.
Q. What is the antique land that the poet talks about?
Ans: The “antique land” refers to Egypt, the place from which the traveller came. It is where the ruins of Ozymandias’s statue, once symbolizing his great power, now lie buried in the desert sands.
Q. What did the traveller see?
Ans: The traveller saw the remnants of a colossal statue in the desert. Two vast, trunkless legs of stone stood in the sand, and a shattered face lay half‑sunk nearby, still showing the king’s proud expression. He also saw the pedestal with an inscription boasting the king's greatness, surrounded by a barren landscape that stretched endlessly.
OR
Q. Describe the statue of Ozymandias in the desert.
Ans. The statue of Ozymandias lies broken in the desert. Two huge legs stand without a body, and the shattered face half-buried in sand still shows the king’s pride and arrogance. The pedestal’s boast contrasts with the empty desert around it, proving how time destroys even the greatest rulers.
Q. What was inscribed on the pedestal of the statue?
Ans: The inscription on the pedestal read:
"My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings:
Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!"
Q. How did time deal with the king?
Ans: Though Ozymandias once believed his power eternal, time reduced his mighty empire and grand statue to ruins. Only broken fragments remain in the desert, showing that pride and achievements cannot withstand the passage of time.
Q. What sort of poem is this?
Ans: This is a sonnet. It follows the rhyme scheme of Petrarchan sonnet.
Ans. The expressions on Ozymandias’ face are of sneer and cold command. It reveal his arrogance, pride, and sense of superiority. The sculptor captured his scornful smile and commanding look, which reflect his belief in his own greatness, which contrasts with the ruined state of his statue and empire.
Q. How can we say that the sculptor was a master artist?
Ans. The sculptor was a master artist because he had copied the king’s facial expressions of sneer and cold command well, onto the statue so perfectly that was even noticed when it turned to wreak.
Q. What is the setting of the poem, ‘Ozymandias’?
Ans. The setting is a vast expanse of desert where one can see the ruined remains of the statue of king Ozymandias.
Ozymandias longer question [3/4 marks Q-A]
Q. How does the poet bring out the difference between the mortal and the immortal?
Ans: The poet contrasts mortal achievements with the immortal forces of time and nature. While Ozymandias's pride and achievements were meant to last forever, they were ultimately destroyed by time. The broken statue serves as a metaphor for the fleeting nature of human life and the enduring power of time and nature.
Q. What does it mean : “The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed.” ?
OR How can we say that the sculptor was a master artist?
OR “The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed.” Whose hand and heart has the poet referred to in this line?
Ans. “The hand that mocked them” refers to be the sculptor’s hand, delineating the vainglory of his subject in “these lifeless things”; and “the heart that fed” must be Ozymandias’ own, feeding on perhaps its own arrogance. The shattered statue of Ozymandias had as cowl and sneer of icy authority on its visage. The king’s haughtiness was evident in the knit brow and wrinkled mouth. The accuracy with which the sculptor had caught all the subtle facial details of the haughty ruler was indicative of his skill.
Q. Bring out the irony in the poem.
Ans: - The poem Ozymandias is full of irony because the great king wanted everyone to admire his power and achievements forever, but what remains of him today is only a broken statue in the desert. He proudly ordered the words, “Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!” to be carved on the statue, but instead of showing his greatness, the ruins show how time destroys even the strongest rulers and empires. The irony is that his boast about lasting glory now teaches the opposite lesson: nothing lasts forever, and human pride fades away with time.
Q. What does the poem suggest about Ozymandias’ pride and ambition?
Ans: - Ozymandias’ pride is shown in the boastful words carved on his statue: “Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!” He believed his power and empire would last forever. However, the ruined statue in the empty desert proves the irony of his pride—time and nature have destroyed his achievements, leaving only broken pieces. His arrogance now serves as a lesson that human greatness cannot escape decay.
Ozymandias RTC with Answers:
Answer these questions with reference to the context.
"I met a traveller from an antique land Who said: Two vast and trunkless legs of stone Stand in the desert. Near them, on the sand, Half sunk, a shattered visage lies."
(i) Whom did the poet meet?
Ans- The poet met a traveller.
(ii) Where was he coming from?
Ans- The traveller came back from an ancient land.
(iii) What did he see there?
Ans- The traveller saw the remnants of a colossal statue in the desert. Two vast, trunkless legs of stone stood in the sand, and a shattered face lay half‑sunk nearby, still showing the king’s proud expression. He also saw the pedestal with an inscription.
(iv) Find a word from the given extract that means the same as “the manifestation, image, or aspect of something.”
Ans- Visage
"Whose frown, And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command Tell that its sculptor well those passions read"
(i) Whose face lies on the sand?
Ans- King Ozymandias’s face lies on the sand.
(ii) What sort of expression did the face have?
Ans- The face had a harsh and proud expression — a frown, a wrinkled lip, and a sneer of cold command. These show Ozymandias’s arrogance and haughty nature.
(iii) Who understood the emotions well?
Ans- The sculptor understood well the emotions or passions of Ozymandias.
(iv) Find words in the given extract which convey that King Ozymandias was arrogant, conceited, and egoist.
Ans- "Sneer of cold command".
"Which yet survive stamped on these lifeless things. The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed;"
(i) Find a word in the given extract which means the same as "impress a pattern or mark”
Ans- Stamped
(ii) Whose hands mocked them?
Ans- These were the hands of the expert sculptor who had so perfectly carved and brought out the contempt and brutality of a haughty ruler.
(iii) Whose expressions are carved on these lifeless things?
Ans- King Ozymandias’s expressions are carved on these lifeless things.
(iv) What message is conveyed through these lines?
(iv) What message is conveyed through these lines?
Ans- The sculptor’s skill preserved Ozymandias’s pride and feelings upon the ruined statue, showing the truth of his character even though, ironically, his empire and power were reduced to ruin with time.
"And on the pedestal these words appear; “My name is Ozymandias, king of kings: Look upon my works, ye Mighty, and despair!”
(i) Explain: Look upon my works, ye Mighty, and despair?
Ans- Ozymandias believed his empire and achievements were so great that even powerful rulers would feel small and hopeless in comparison. The inscription shows his haughty confidence and desire to be remembered as the supreme ruler, the “king of kings.”
(ii) What do the words written on the pedestal reflect about Ozymandias?
Ans- The words reflect Ozymandias’s arrogance and boastful pride. He believed his empire was so vast that even powerful rulers would feel hopeless in comparison. Ironically, time has destroyed his empire, leaving only ruins. His proud words now stand as a reminder that human power and glory are temporary.
(iii) Find a word in the given extract which means the same as "the base or support on which a statue, obelisk, or column is mounted.“
Ans- Pedestal.
"Nothing beside remains. Round the decay Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare The lone and level sands stretch far away."
(i) Why does he say ‘nothing beside remains’?
Ans- The narrator means that apart from the broken statue, there is no trace of Ozymandias’s empire or achievements. All his grand monuments and power have vanished, leaving only ruins surrounded by endless empty desert. This highlights the futility of human pride and the supremacy of time, which reduces even the mightiest rulers to nothing.
(ii) Find a word in the given extract which means the same as “extremely large or great.”
Ans- Colossal
(iii) Explain the last line.
Ans- The line shows that Ozymandias’s once‑great empire has completely disappeared, leaving only endless desert. The image of the “lone and level sands” conveys the power of time and nature, which erase all human pride and achievements, reducing them to nothing.
(iv) What is the poetic device used in the second line?
Ans- Alliteration.
"Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,"
(i) What does the poet refer to here?
Ans: The poet refers to the broken remnants of the statue of Ozymandias, including the "shattered visage" and "trunkless legs," which are lifeless but still hold traces of the king's once-powerful and haughty personality.
(ii) What is it that survives?
Ans: What survives is the artistic skill of the sculptor who captured the king’s arrogance and passion in the expression of the statue, that still visible on the ruins, as well as the inscription on the pedestal.
(iii) What is the significance of 'yet' in this line?
The word "yet" emphasizes that while the king's empire has vanished, the sculptor’s artistry and the king’s arrogance are still evident in the ruins of the statue.
(iv) What are the lifeless things?
The "lifeless things" are the broken and inanimate pieces of the statue, such as the shattered face and trunkless legs.
"Near them, on the sand, Half sunk a shattered visage lies,"
(i) Explain them in the lines stated above.
Ans: The word "them" refers to the two vast and trunkless legs of stone standing in the desert. Near these legs lies the vast and shattered face of the statue on the sand.
(ii) Whose 'shattered visage' is being talked about in the given lines?
Ans: The "shattered visage" refers to the broken face of the statue of Ozymandias, the king whose statue was built to glorify him but now lies in ruins.
Ans: The "shattered visage" refers to the broken face of the statue of Ozymandias, the king whose statue was built to glorify him but now lies in ruins.
"Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!"
(i) In the aforementioned line, who is addressing whom?
Ans- Ozymandias, is addressing other powerful rulers by the word “Mighty,” and boasting about his greatness in the inscription on the pedestal of his statue.
(ii) What is the meaning of the expression 'Mighty, and despair'?
Ans- Ozymandias believes that no one else can be as great or powerful. The expression means that other mighty rulers should look at Ozymandias’s achievements and empire and feel inferior or despair at their inability to surpass his greatness.
(iii) Why does the poet refer to it as the 'colossal Wreck'?
Ans- The poet calls broken parts of the statue a “colossal Wreck” because it was once a huge and magnificent monument, but now lies broken and ruined in the desert. The shattered remains of the statue symbolize the fall of Ozymandias’s pride and the destruction of his empire by time.
(iv) What moral does the poet wish to convey through this poem?
Ans- The poet conveys through this poem that human power, pride, and glory are temporary. No matter how mighty a ruler may be, time eventually destroys all empires and achievements. Only art and nature remains, showing that human pride is futile and time is the strongest.
