Ozymandias: P B Shelley class 8 ICSE solution

 

A. Answer the questions

1. “Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown, / And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command”

a. What can we infer from the phrase “half sunk”?
The phrase “half sunk” suggests that the statue is partially buried in the sand. This indicates the passage of time and neglect. It shows how nature has slowly reclaimed the monument, symbolising the decline and destruction of Ozymandias’s power.

b. What does the sculptor try to convey by sculpting a frown and cold sneer on the statue’s face?
The sculptor portrays Ozymandias as a proud, cruel, and authoritarian ruler. The frown and sneer of cold command reflect his arrogance, harshness, and sense of absolute authority over others.

 

2. “Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair! / Nothing beside remains…”

a. What contrasting element do you find in these two lines?
The contrast lies between boastful pride and harsh reality. While the inscription proudly claims great achievements, the present scene shows only ruins and emptiness. This irony highlights the futility of human pride.

b. Who is the person sculpted, and how does the person address himself?
The statue represents Ozymandias, a powerful king. He addresses himself as “King of Kings”, claiming supremacy over all other rulers.

c. What does the statue and its present state symbolise?
The ruined statue symbolises the impermanence of power, pride, and human achievements. It shows that even the mightiest rulers are eventually forgotten, while time and nature endure.

 

3. Why do you think the poet uses a traveller from an antique land to narrate the story?

Shelley uses a traveller to create distance and objectivity. This technique makes the story seem more authentic and emphasises the ancient and forgotten nature of Ozymandias’s empire. It also shows how history survives only through stories and remnants.

 

B. Think and answer

1. Explain the impermanence of power with reference to the poem.

The poem shows that political power and human glory are temporary. Ozymandias once ruled with pride and authority, but now his empire has vanished, leaving only broken ruins. The vast, empty desert surrounding the statue highlights how time destroys even the greatest power.

 

2. Shelley shows that art and words can outlive other legacies. How? Name another poet with a similar idea.

Although Ozymandias’s empire has crumbled, the sculptor’s art and the engraved words still survive. The statue preserves the ruler’s character, and Shelley’s poem keeps his story alive. This proves that art and literature outlast physical power.

A similar idea is found in Shakespeare’s Sonnet 18, where the poet claims that poetry can give eternal life, even when physical beauty fades.