NCERT SOLUTIONS FOR CLASS 10 - ENGLISH NOTES - OZYMANDIAS - QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS - CBSE

 

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.