OZYMANDIAS
MCQs
a) (ii) an ancient land
b) (iv) contempt
c) (iii) arrogant
d) (ii) expression
e) (i) mocking
ANSWER THE FOLLOWING
A) “The hand that mocked them and the heart
that fed.” Whose hand and heart has the poet referred to?
Ans: The hand and
heart of king Ozymandias has been referred to by the poet in this line. Though,
he was a cruel and wicked king. He took great care of is people.
B) “My name is Ozymandias, king of kings;”
why does Ozymandias refer to himself as king of kings?
Ans: Ozymandias was
proud of himself. He boasted about his greatness. The lines show that he was an
arrogant king and thought himself to be the greatest among all kings.
C) “Look on my works, ye mighty, and
despair!” Who is Ozymandias referring to when he speaks of ye Mighty? Why
should they despair?
Ans: Ozymandias is
referring to his works. He boasts that his works are so magnificent that people
can only admire them. Despair here means give up. They should despair whenever
they try to imitate or surpass his work.
D) Bring out the irony in the poem.
Ans: In P.B.
Shelley’s poem Ozymandias, there is an overriding irony presented to show the
difference between the sculptor and the sculpture.
E) ‘Nothing beside remains.’ What does the
narrator mean when he says these words?
Ans: The poem’s irony
revolves around Ozymandias himself. The great irony here was having the pharaoh
narrate the poem, boasting of his greatness and power, yet all that he has
‘established; now lies in ruins, crumbling through time, slowly joining the
surrounding sands. Ozymandias was so full of authority, even though there was
nothing left of what he boasts. His kingdom and his glory now lie in the sands
with only stone slabs. These words mean that even the greatest are destroyed.
Now nothing else remains except the stones.
F) What is your impression of Ozymandias as a
King?
Ans: Ozymandias was
an arrogant and wicked king. He was proud of himself but he took care of his
people. He wanted the people to see his works and praise him. He thought
himself to the greater than any other king.
G) What message is conveyed through this
poem?
Ans: The poem
conveys an important message that nothing lasts forever. Even the greatest
kingdoms and political regimes are sure to crumble so one should never be proud
of even the greatest fall one day or the other day. So, one should not be proud
of oneself.
