First Year English Notes Sindh Board OZYMANDIAS by Percy Bysshe Shelley

Ozymandias

S. NO.	Words	Meaning	Meaning	Sentences
1	Colossal	extremely large	عظیم، بڑا	The Colossal statue of Buddha in Bamiyan, Afghanistan was destroyed by the Taliban in 2001.
2	Despair	the feeling of hopelessness or defeat	نا امیدی، ہمت و بازی	Despite her despair, Sarah refused to give up and kept fighting for her dreams.
3	Frown	to show displeasure or disapproval by contracting the brow	بھڑکانا، اکھاڑنا، انتقامی نظر	As soon as the teacher noticed the students chatting, she gave them a frown to signal them to stop.
4	Wrinkled	having lines or ridges caused by folding, creasing or shrinking	گرد کردہ، چرمری یا جلد پر سوراخ	The old man's face was wrinkled, and he had a pleasant smile that showed his kind nature.
5	Sneer	to smile or speak in a mocking or contemptuous manner	ٹھٹھاہٹ، تمسخر، اظہار تحقیر	Jane couldn't help but sneer at the rude comment made by her colleague during the meeting.
6	Pedestal	a base or support for a statue or monument	تختہ، پائوں، بسہ، اساس	The statue of liberty stands on a pedestal on Liberty Island in New York.
7	King of kings	a title used to refer to a powerful monarch who rules over other monarchs	بادشاہ بادشاہوں، سلطان سلطانوں	King of kings is a title given to a ruler who is considered to be superior to other kings.
8	Mighty	possessing great strength or power	طاقتور، قوی، با عزت	The mighty waterfall in Niagara Falls attracts millions of visitors every year.
9	Works	achievements or accomplishments	کام، محنت، کوشش، مجاہدت	Leonardo da Vinci's works are considered to be some of the greatest masterpieces of all time.
10	Decay	the process of rotting or breaking down over time.	تباہی، خسارہ، بربادی، خرابی	The abandoned house had fallen into a state of decay, with the walls covered in mold and the roof caving in.
11	Trunkless	without a trunk or torso	بے ساختہ ستون، بے ٹن، بے ڈھانچہ	The trunkless tree in the backyard of the house was a popular spot for the neighborhood kids to play on.
12	Visage	a person's face or facial expression	چہرہ، شکل، روپ	The visage of the little girl changed from fear to relief when she saw her parents coming to pick her up from school.
13	Despair	a state of utter hopelessness or discouragement	نا امیدی، ہمت و بازی	Mark was filled with despair when he failed the exam, but he knew he had to work harder and try again.
14	Countenance	a person's facial expression or demeanor	چہرے کا اظہار، طرز عمل، دلیری	Despite her rough exterior, Maria had a kind countenance that made people feel at ease around her.

 

MCQs

1. What does the traveler tell the poet in the poem "Ozymandias"?

a. The traveler tells the poet about a desert

b. The traveler tells the poet about two legs of stone

c. The traveler tells the poet about a shattered visage

d. The traveler tells the poet about an antique land

2. What emotions does the visage convey?

a. Happiness and joy                                                                       b. Anger and disgust

c. Fear and apprehension                                                             d. Disdain and authority

3. What is the name of the king mentioned on the pedestal?

a. Ozymandias                                                                                   b. Ramses

c. Tutankhamun                                                                               d. Alexander the Great

4. What happens to the king's works?

a. They survive for eternity                                                          b. They are destroyed by nature

c. They are preserved in a museum                                          d. They are taken away by thieves

5. What is the overall tone of the poem?

a. Hopeful                           b. Nostalgic                         c. Despairing                                      d. Joyful

 6. Which of the following is a theme of "Ozymandias"?

a. The power of nature over man.made creations

b. The greatness of Ozymandias as a ruler

c. The lasting impact of human achievements

d. The insignificance of human accomplishments in the grand scheme of things

7. In the poem, where are the "vast and trunkless legs of stone" located?

a. In a museum                                 b. In a desert                     c. In a palace                      d. In a forest

8. What does the "shattered visage" in the poem represent?

a. The remains of Ozymandias                                    b. The power of the sculptor

c. The impermanence of human achievements   d. The destruction caused by time and nature

9. What is the significance of the words inscribed on the pedestal in the poem?

a. They demonstrate the arrogance of Ozymandias           b. They praise the beauty of the statue

c. They reveal the identity of the sculptor              d. They serve as a warning to future generations

10.What is the tone of the poem "Ozymandias"?

a. Hopeful                           b. Nostalgic                                         c. Sad                                    d. Ironic

11.What does the traveler describe in the poem?

a. A broken statue                                           b. An ancient manuscript

c. A ruined city                                                   d. A buried treasure

12. What emotions does the shattered visage convey according to the poem?

a. Joy and contentment                                                b. Anger and frustration

c. Sadness and grief                                                         d. Contempt and arrogance

13. What do the words on the pedestal of the statue say?

a. "I am Ozymandias, king of kings"                          b. "This is the greatest work of art ever created"

c. "Behold my power and might"                               d. "May my legacy endure forever"

14. What does the phrase "trunkless legs of stone" refer to?

a. A pair of columns                                                        b. A statue missing its torso

c. A destroyed building                                                  d. A natural rock formation

15. What is the overall tone of the poem?

a. Joyful and optimistic                                                  b. Despairing and melancholic

c. Humorous and playful                                               d. Mysterious and uncertain

 

QUESTIONS - ANSWERS

Q.1 What is the central idea of the poem "Ozymandias" written by Percy Bysshe Shelly?

The central idea of the poem "Ozymandias" by Percy Bysshe Shelley is that even the most powerful and mighty rulers are ultimately doomed to be forgotten and their empires and accomplishments reduced to ruins. The poem tells the story of a traveller who comes across the statue of Ozymandias, a once-great king who ruled over a vast empire. However, the statue lies broken and half-buried in the sand, a symbol of the transience of human power and glory. The poem conveys the message that time is a powerful force that can destroy even the most impressive human achievements and that, in the end, all of our accomplishments will be forgotten. The message is one of the inevitability of mortality and the importance of humility in the face of the grand sweep of history.

Q.2 What did the traveller see in the desert and whom he told about it with reference to the poem "Ozymandias"?

In the poem "Ozymandias" by Percy Bysshe Shelley, the traveller sees a half-buried statue of Ozymandias, a once-great king who ruled over a vast empire. The traveller describes the statue's shattered visage, with its frown, wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command, as well as the inscription on the pedestal, which reads:

"My name is Ozymandias, king of kings:

Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!"

However, the traveller also notes that all around the statue, there is nothing but an empty desert, with no sign of Ozymandias's empire or any other evidence of his power and greatness. The traveller thus tells a powerful story about the inevitable transience of human power and glory, reminding us that even the greatest empires and rulers will eventually fall and be forgotten. In the end, the poem suggests that the true legacy of human existence is not in monuments or statues, but in the fleeting moments of beauty, love, and connection that we share with each other along the way.

 

Q.3 How can you say that the sculptor was a great artist?

In the poem "Ozymandias" by Percy Bysshe Shelley, the traveller describes the statue of Ozymandias as a shattered visage with a frown, wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command. Despite the destruction and decay of the statue, the traveller notes that the sculptor was a great artist who captured the king's personality and power in the statue.

The fact that Ozymandias commissioned the statue and had it inscribed with this powerful message suggests that he believed the sculptor had created a true likeness of his power and greatness. Therefore, even though the statue has fallen into ruins, the fact that it once stood as a testament to the sculptor's artistry suggests that he was indeed a great artist.

 

Q. 4 What was written on the pedestal of the statue of Ozymandias?

The pedestal of the statue of Ozymandias, as described in the poem by Percy Bysshe Shelley, contains an inscription that reads:

"My name is Ozymandias, king of kings:

Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!"

The inscription suggests that Ozymandias was a powerful ruler who believed that his accomplishments were unparalleled and that his power would endure forever. However, the fact that the statue lies in ruins and is half.buried in the sand suggests that even the most powerful empires and rulers are ultimately doomed to be forgotten. The inscription thus serves as a powerful reminder of the transience of human power and glory.

 

Q.5 What is the meaning of the phrase in the poem "the heart that fed"

The phrase "the heart that fed" appears in the poem "Ozymandias" by Percy Bysshe Shelley. The phrase "the heart that fed" is a metaphor for the emotions and desires that drove Ozymandias to build his empire and commission the statue. In other words, it refers to the king's pride and ambition, which were the driving forces behind his rise to power. The phrase suggests that these emotions and desires, which once fueled the king's greatness, have now been swallowed up by time and forgotten, leaving nothing behind but the ruins of his empire. The line is a powerful reminder of the fleeting nature of human power and the importance of humility in the face of the vast sweep of history.

 

Q.5 What is ironic about the fate of Ozymandias?

The irony of the fate of Ozymandias lies in the fact that despite his once-great power and authority, he is now only remembered as a shattered statue half-buried in the sand. The statue that Ozymandias commissioned to immortalize his power has itself become a symbol of the transience of human power and glory. The inscription on the pedestal, which reads "Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!", is particularly ironic, as it suggests that Ozymandias believed that his power and accomplishments were so great that even other rulers should despair in their presence. However, the fact that the statue lies in ruins and the king's empire has long since crumbled suggests that his power was ultimately fleeting and temporary. The irony of Ozymandias's fate lies in the fact that the very monument that he hoped would immortalize him has instead become a powerful reminder of the impermanence of human power and the importance of humility in the face of the grand sweep of history.

 

Q.6 How does this poem relate to one's life?

The poem "Ozymandias" by Percy Bysshe Shelley can be seen as a reminder of the fleeting nature of human power and the impermanence of our accomplishments in the face of the vast sweep of history. This message can be applied to our own lives in several ways. First, the poem reminds us that no matter how powerful or successful we may become in our own lives, ultimately our accomplishments and influence will be forgotten with the passage of time. This can be a humbling reminder of the importance of living in the present moment and finding meaning and fulfilment in the here and now, rather than constantly striving for some future goal or accomplishment.

Second, the poem suggests that the true legacy of our lives is not in monuments or statues, but in the relationships we build, the moments of connection and love we share with others, and the positive impact we have on the world around us. This can be a reminder to focus on the people and things that truly matter in our lives, rather than becoming overly obsessed with fame, power, or material possessions.

 

Q.7 "The proud Ozymandias lies forgotten in the desert" Explain this.

The line "The proud Ozymandias lies forgotten in the desert" refers to the central theme of the poem "Ozymandias" by Percy Bysshe Shelley, which is the impermanence of human power and the fleeting nature of greatness.

The word "proud" suggests that Ozymandias was a powerful and arrogant ruler, who believed that his accomplishments would endure forever. However, the fact that he is now "forgotten in the desert" suggests that even the most powerful empires and rulers are ultimately doomed to be forgotten with the passage of time.

The image of Ozymandias "lying" in the desert, buried and forgotten, is a powerful symbol of the transience of human life and the importance of humility in the face of the vast sweep of history. The poem suggests that true greatness is not measured by the monuments we leave behind or the power we wield in our own time, but by the impact, we have on the world around us and the connections we make with others.

In short, the line "The proud Ozymandias lies forgotten in the desert" is a reminder that no matter how powerful or successful we may become in our own lives, ultimately our accomplishments and influence will be forgotten with the passage of time.