In the Ozymandias poem, the speaker describes encountering a traveler who has been to an ancient land where he saw a vast but ruined statue in the desert. The speaker paraphrases the inscriptions on the pedestal of the statue, quoting that "My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings, Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!" The traveler notes that nothing of the statue's civilization remains standing, reflecting on the transience of worldly power and the pride that comes before a fall.
The Ozymandias poem is a sonnet, and it is part of the romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley's body of work. It is based on the pharaoh Rameses II and is a commentary on the abuse of power, the power of nature, and the folly of pride. Shelley uses this poem to explore the themes of the state of a great pharaoh now gone, the power of nature, the abuse of power, and the power of authority. Through this poem, Shelley reflects on the romantic idealization of nature and its ability to outlast human creation.
In his use of literary devices, Shelley employs a caesura in the middle of the line to make the reader pause for effect, emphasizing the idea that Ozymandias is no longer known and feared despite his arrogance. The theme of the abuse of power is highlighted through the irony of the statue's inscription and its eventual ruin, showing the power of nature reclaiming what was once a symbol of authority.
In the poem "London" by William Blake, the speaker wanders through the streets of London and describes the suffering he sees. The poem reflects the romantic poet's disillusionment with religion and government during the Victorian era. The poet uses key quotes like "Every cry", "Every voice", and "mind-forged manacles" to emphasize the oppression and lack of freedom experienced by the people of London. The repetition of "every" serves to highlight the regular occurrence of problems faced by the common people.
"London" By William Blake uses a first-person dramatic monologue to convey the speaker's perspective of the city. The poet highlights the power and control exercised by those in authority, and he uses regular rhythm and symbolism to convey the sense of government corruption and oppression experienced by the people. The poem touches on themes of place, inequality, and power/control, highlighting the poet's critique of the societal structure of his time.
"My Last Duchess" stands as Robert Browning's dramatic monologue, loosely based on the Duke of Ferrara talking to a messenger about arranging his next marriage. The key quotes in this poem reveal the Duke's controlling and devious nature, reflecting his obsessive need for power and his objectification of women. The structure of the poem emphasizes the Duke's perspective, using iambic pentameter and enjambment to create a conversational rhythm. The use of caesura in the poem further emphasizes the Duke's emphasis on control and hierarchy, signifying the pause and stop in his pride and jealousy.
The themes explored in "My Last Duchess" include the hierarchy of objectification and the power of women. The poem delves into the Duke's deranged psyche, exposing his need for power and control, which ultimately leads to the demise of the Duchess. Browning uses the structure and key quotes to create a chilling portrayal of the Duke's obsession with dominance and possession.
"The Charge of the Light Brigade" by Alfred, Lord Tennyson commemorates the Battle of Balaclava during the Crimean War. Tennyson uses key quotes like "The valley of Death" and "Noble six hundred" to illustrate the bravery and tragedy of war. The structure of the poem utilizes active verbs and a repetitive rhythm to represent the chaos of battle and the honor of those who lost their lives. Tennyson's use of biblical allusions and repetition throughout the poem serves to make it memorable and emphasizes the sense of duty, tragedy, and miscommunication associated with war.
"Exposure" by Wilfred Owen portrays the merciless and relentless nature of war through the personification of the weather. The poem's structure consists of 8 stanzas, each using a consistent half-line to reinforce a sense of ongoing waiting and despair. The repeated line "But nothing happens" serves as a metaphor for the futility and despair experienced by the soldiers. Owen's use of punctuation, caesuras, ellipses, and repetition serves to emphasize the atmosphere of war and his belief in its futile loss of life.
In "Exposure," Owen presents a bleak portrayal of war, highlighting the cyclical nature of despair and the overwhelming sense of hopelessness experienced by soldiers. Through the poem's structure and key quotes, Owen conveys the despair, tragedy, and futility of war during the time of the First World War.
