Ozymandias

Extract based questions and answers

Read the extracts and answer the questions:

1.            1.   Nothing beside remains. Round the decay

       of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare

       The lone and level sands stretch far away.

      a) The ‘colossal wreck’ here refers to the remains of the statue of King Ozymandias.

      b) Name the poetic device in line 2 of the extract.

      Ans. The poetic device in line 2 is Alliteration. Boundless and bare

c)    What is the meaning of the word decay?

Ans. It means to decompose/disintegrate

2.    And on the pedestal these words appear:

“My name is Ozymandias, king of kings:

Look upon my works, ye Mighty and despair!”

Nothing beside remains. Round the decay

a)    What so these lines tell us about Ozymandias?

Ans. Ozymandias is an arrogant king. He believes that he is  most powerful.

b)    Explain the irony of the words written on the pedestal.

Ans. Ozymandias was very proud of his achievements but none of these could withstand the ravages of time.

c)    What message do these lines convey to us?

Ans. These lines convey that all human success is temporary and transitory. With time

        everything will be destroyed