Poetry-Power and conflict
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Questions and Answers

Which of the following is a central theme explored in 'Ozymandias'?

  • The enduring nature of art
  • The beauty of the desert landscape
  • The transitory nature of power (correct)
  • The importance of political alliances

    • The poem 'Ozymandias' neatly conforms to the traditional sonnet form of Petrarch or Shakespeare.

    False (B)

    What is the significance of Ozymandias proclaiming himself 'King of Kings' in the poem?

    It highlights his hubris and claim to god-like power.

    Romantic poets sought to express emotions, imagination, and personal experiences in their ______.

    <p>works</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Percy Shelley was expelled from Oxford University for publishing which work?

    <p>'The Necessity of Atheism' (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Romantic poets generally supported the monarchy and established power structures.

    <p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following poems shares a similar theme of misguided power with 'Ozymandias'?

    <p>'Extract from The Prelude' (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following Romantic poets with a key theme or focus of their work:

    <p>Percy Shelley = Criticism of monarchy and religion William Blake = Critique of societal constraints William Wordsworth = Celebration of nature</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In 'London,' what does the repetition of the word 'charted' emphasize?

    <p>The control and ownership exerted by those in power (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Blake's 'London' celebrates the thriving and joyful atmosphere of 18th-century London.

    <p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the poem 'London', who is primarily responsible for the suffering in London?

    <p>those in power (church, landowners, monarchy, and government)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The poem 'London' comes from Blake's collection known for its bleak outlook on humanity and its imperfections, called 'Songs of ______'.

    <p>Experience</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the 'marriage hearse' represent in the final image of the poem?

    <p>A sense of ruin and destruction (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following elements from the poem 'London' with their significance:

    <p>'marks of weakness marks of woe' = Visible signs of suffering 'charted' Thames = Imposition of man-made order on nature Repetitive stanzas and rhyme scheme = Constant, inescapable nature of suffering French Revolution imagery = Potential for rebellion</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The line 'marks of weakness marks of woe' maintains the poem's 'London' consistent iambic tetrameter, emphasizing the strength of the suffering.

    <p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What widening gap does Blake criticize in 'London'?

    <p>the gap between social classes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which geographical area serves as the setting for The Prelude?

    <p>The Lake District (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Wordsworth's The Prelude depicts a fictional account from the author's imagination.

    <p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of boat does Wordsworth take in The Prelude

    <p>rowing boat</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In The Prelude, nature is personified as ______.

    <p>her</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the description with how Wordsworth feels in 'Prelude' when he takes the boat:

    <p>proud of his skill = feels powerful elfin pinis = swan stealth = slyness before seeing the mountain = delighted</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these is a key characteristic of Romantic poetry?

    <p>Embrace of the natural world (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The speaker shows feelings of guilt when he takes the boat in 'Prelude'.

    <p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What effect does enjambment have on the poem?

    <p>It creates a sense of overwhelming experience. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the Duke's language contribute to the portrayal of his character in 'My Last Duchess'?

    <p>His use of formal language emphasizes his elevated social standing and desire for control. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the Victorian era context in interpreting 'My Last Duchess'?

    <p>It highlights the limited social and legal rights of women, reflecting the Duke's patriarchal control. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How might the Duke's long speech and the poem's structure reflect his internal state?

    <p>The long speech and enjambment hints at a lack of control, revealing a contrast between his perceived power and reality. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What can be inferred from the Duke's interruption of the conversation?

    <p>He desires to dominate all aspects of the interaction. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What might the statue of Neptune taming a seahorse symbolize in 'My Last Duchess'?

    <p>The Duke's perception of his role as dominating and controlling women. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What literary device does Owen use to create a sense of unsettled anticipation in Exposure?

    <p>Pararhyme (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary emotional response that Exposure aims to evoke regarding trench warfare?

    <p>Futility and despair (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do the repeated lines in Exposure contribute to its overall message?

    <p>They reflect the cyclical nature of waiting in war. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does personification play in the poem Exposure?

    <p>To depict weather as more dangerous than the enemy (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the repetitive structure of Exposure signify about the soldiers' experiences?

    <p>An ongoing cycle of hope and despair (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Flashcards

    Ozymandias

    A poem about the downfall of a powerful king, showcasing the transience of power.

    Theme of Power

    Power is depicted as fleeting and transient in 'Ozymandias'.

    Sonnet Form

    The structure of 'Ozymandias' resembles a sonnet but does not fit traditional forms.

    Hubris

    Excessive pride or self-confidence, as displayed by Ozymandias claiming to be 'King of Kings'.

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    Romantic Poetry

    A genre focused on emotions, nature, and individual experiences, often opposing authority.

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    Percy Shelley

    A Romantic poet known for critiquing the monarchy and expressing atheism.

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    Comparative Themes

    Themes of misguided power are common in several poems like 'My Last Duchess'.

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    Biblical Language

    The poem employs biblical references to highlight Ozymandias’ arrogance.

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    18th-Century London

    The historical setting of Blake's poem, depicting a world of struggle and sorrow.

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    Signs of Suffering

    Visible expressions of distress seen in the faces of the people Blake encounters.

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    Power Structures

    Blake critiques institutions like church and government for causing social suffering.

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    Repetition of 'Charted'

    Emphasizes control and ownership exerted by authorities over people and nature.

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    Cyclical Structure

    The poem's repetitive theme highlights the inescapable nature of suffering.

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    Married Hearse

    A jarring image representing ruin and the city's potential downfall.

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    Imagery of Revolution

    The poem's references to blood and violence relate to the French Revolution.

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    Marks of Weakness

    Refers to visible signs of despair noted in the poem, repeated for emphasis.

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    William Wordsworth

    A Romantic poet known for his childhood memories and nature themes.

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    Oldswater Lake

    The location where Wordsworth rows the stolen boat in the poem.

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    Personification of Nature

    Nature is depicted as a guiding female presence in the poem.

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    Imagery of Power

    The speaker feels powerful and proud while rowing the boat.

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    Shift in Tone

    The tone changes from positive to fearful upon seeing the mountain.

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    Simplistic Language

    The speaker uses basic language after seeing the mountain.

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    Enjambment

    The continuation of a sentence without a pause beyond the end of a line.

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    Haunting Memory

    Wordsworth is troubled by the event for days after returning.

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    Dramatic Monologue

    A poem in which a single speaker addresses a silent listener, revealing personal thoughts.

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    Duke's Control

    The Duke's possessive behavior is shown by his use of 'my' to describe his wife and his commanding language.

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    Victorian Social Norms

    During the Victorian era, women were viewed as property with limited rights, reflecting patriarchal standards.

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    Symbolism of Neptune

    The Neptune statue symbolizes the Duke's desire to dominate women, akin to taming a seahorse.

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    Enjambment in Structure

    The use of enjambment in the poem reveals the Duke's lack of emotion control, despite a rigid format.

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    Wilfred Owen's Exposure

    A poem depicting the harsh realities of WWI trench warfare.

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    Repetitive Structure

    Each stanza starts with a blunt statement followed by emotional vocabulary.

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    Pararhyme

    A type of near-rhyme emphasizing unsettling feelings through similar consonants.

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    Personification of Weather

    The weather is portrayed as a dangerous enemy, more threatening than the foe.

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    Cyclical Experience

    The poem reflects the never-ending wait for action, with the refrain 'but nothing happens.'

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    Study Notes

    Ozymandias Poem Summary

    • The poem depicts the downfall of a powerful ruler, Ozymandias, once a mighty king, now reduced to a broken statue in the desert.
    • The poem emphasizes the ephemeral nature of power, highlighting the decline of Ozymandias' empire and his statue as a symbol of this transience.
    • The poem's form resembles a sonnet but deviates from the traditional Petrarchan or Shakespearean structure. Its shifting rhyme scheme mirrors the changing nature of power.
    • The poem employs biblical language, with Ozymandias claiming himself "King of Kings." This biblical allusion underscores Ozymandias' hubris and his assertion of god-like power.
    • The repeated "K" sound in phrases like "King of Kings" and "Cold Command" creates a harsh and aggressive tone, suggesting the cruelty and oppressive nature of Ozymandias' rule.

    Romantic Poetry

    • Romantic poets aimed to express emotions, imagination, and personal experiences through their works.
    • Key themes of Romantic poetry include resistance to oppressive authority, exploration of nature, and celebration of individual expression.
    • Prominent Romantic poets include Percy Shelley, William Blake, and William Wordsworth.
    • Romantic poetry flourished in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
    • One key convention of Romantic poetry was a dislike of urban life and an embrace of the natural world.

    Percy Shelley

    • Shelley was a vocal critic of the monarchy, particularly King George III.
    • Shelley was an atheist, openly challenging religious beliefs in his writings.
    • He was expelled from Oxford University for publishing "The Necessity of Atheism."
    • He published "Poetical Essay on the Existing State of Things" in 1811, criticizing the monarchy and the "cold advisors of yet colder kings."

    "London" by William Blake

    • The poem describes a walk through 18th-century London, a world vastly different from today.
    • The speaker encounters sadness and distress in the people he meets, noticing their weary expressions and the mournful sounds of their voices.
    • Blake suggests that this suffering is caused by those in power, particularly the church, landowners, monarchy, and government.
    • The poem is taken from Blake's "Songs of Experience," a collection known for its bleak outlook on humanity and its imperfections.
    • The repetition of the word "charted" emphasizes the control and ownership exerted by those in power.
    • The Thames, naturally untamed, is "charted," highlighting the attempt to impose man-made order on nature.
    • The poem's structure mirrors the constant, inescapable nature of suffering in the city, with its repetitive stanzas and rhyme scheme.
    • The poem's shift in focus from the suffering individuals to the causes of their suffering, and then back again, creates a cyclical structure that reinforces the inescapable nature of their plight.
    • There are two prominent uses of the word "mark" in the poem: first, it refers to noticing something in every face, and then to signs of weakness and woe. This repetition emphasizes the visible signs of suffering.
    • The line "marks of weakness marks of woe" deviates slightly from the consistent iambic tetrameter throughout the poem, making the line less forceful and highlighting the weakness of those who are suffering.
    • The poem's imagery points to the French Revolution, with its association of blood and violence, suggesting that the unhappiness of the British soldiers could also lead to rebellion.
    • The final image of the "marriage hearse" represents a jarring juxtaposition, implying a sense of ruin and destruction, highlighting the potential for the city's downfall.
    • Blake's poem criticizes the misuse of power by those in authority, demonstrating the widespread suffering and despair caused by a widening gap between social classes.

    Comparing Ozymandias with Other Poems

    • Poems sharing similar themes of misguided power include "Extract from The Prelude," “My Last Duchess,” “Kamikaze,” and "Tissue".
    • Ozymandias' themes and formal characteristics can be compared to Romantic poetry, especially works by William Blake, who also voiced criticism of the monarchy and religion.

    Extract from The Prelude Summary

    • The poem tells a true story from William Wordsworth's childhood.
    • The poem takes place in the Lake District, an area of northwest England famous for its lakes, forests, and mountains.
    • The poem describes Wordsworth as a young boy stealing a rowing boat and rowing across Oldswater Lake.
    • The poem personifies nature; Wordsworth is led by nature, which is personified in the poem as "her".
    • Wordsworth finds a boat chained up, gets under the chain, gets in and pushes off onto the lake.
    • The boat is described as an "elfin pinis" and is compared to a swan; Wordsworth is proud of his skill and feels powerful and delighted with himself.
    • When Wordsworth looks up he sees a huge mountain, and is terrified.
    • Wordsworth turns around and rows back to the shore.
    • He is haunted by the memory of the event for days.

    The Speaker's Sense of Power

    • The speaker is proud of his ability to steal the boat and row across the lake.
    • He feels a sense of power and delight in himself.
    • Wordsworth's imagery is positive, giving a magical and celestial quality to the scene.
    • The word "stealth" creates a sense of slyness.
    • He feels no sense of guilt or wrong-doing.

    The Shift in Language and Tone

    • The poem uses positive imagery to show the speaker's sense of power at the start of the poem, but this changes when he sees the mountain.
    • Wordsworth's previous use of figurative and expressive language disappears when he sees the mountain.
    • The speaker regresses to a simplistic definition of what he sees; he uses the word "huge" repeatedly and describes the mountain in basic terms.
    • The structural shift in language usage shows the impact the mountain has on the speaker.
    • This shows that the speaker is drained of all sense of power.
    • He has realized that humans are not powerful, nature is truly powerful.
    • The poem is structured as one long stanza which reinforces the overwhelming experience Wordsworth had with nature.
    • The poem uses enjambment throughout; this reinforces the sense of the speaker's overwhelming experience with nature.
    • The repetition of the word "no" shows that the previously confident speaker is no longer sure of what he knows.

    Themes

    • The poem's main theme is the power of nature.
    • It also explores the conflict between human ambition and pride and the humbling power of the natural world.
    • Man's relationship with nature

    Similarities with other poems

    • The poem explores similar themes to "Ozymandias", "My Last Duchess," "Kamikaze," and "Tissue" in terms of misguided notions of human power.
    • The poem explores similar themes to "Kamikaze," "Storm on the Island," "Exposure," and "Tissue" in terms of the power of nature.

    My Last Duchess Overview

    • The poem "My Last Duchess" is a dramatic monologue where the Duke of Ferrara reveals the story of his previous wife to a guest.
    • The duke focuses on his late wife's perceived flaws, her happiness at various things, which he interprets as disrespect.
    • He controls the conversation, interrupting and dictating his desires to the guest.

    Duke's Character and Control

    • The duke's possessive and controlling nature is evident through his repeated use of "my" when referring to his wife.
    • His choice of formal language, "sir" and "you," emphasizes his social status and superiority over the guest.
    • The Duke dominates the conversation, interrupting and framing his demands as "questions" such as "will it please you sit" and "will it please you rise".

    Victorian Era Context

    • The poem was written and published during the Victorian era (1842).
    • Victorian social norms viewed women as the property of their husbands, with limited social and legal rights.
    • The poem can be interpreted as a critique of these Victorian attitudes, highlighting the patriarchal control over women.

    Symbolism and Structure

    • The "clause of Innsbrück statue of Neptune taming a seahorse" acts as a metaphor for the Duke's perception of his role as dominating women.
    • The poem's structure (iambic pentameter and rhyming couplets) reflects the Duke's attempts at controlled and powerful speech.
    • The use of enjambment (sentences spilling over lines) reveals the Duke's inability to fully control his emotions and anger.

    The Duke's Potential Lack of Power

    • Despite the seemingly tight structure, the Duke's continuous speech and the long single stanza suggest a lack of self-control.
    • The poem's structure, despite the strict control of iambic pentameter and couplets, also hints at a lack of power through enjambment.
    • The single long speech suggests a lack of control over himself, highlighting a discrepancy between his perceived power and reality.

    Exposure

    • Wilfred Owen's poem Exposure illustrates the harsh reality of trench warfare during WWI.
    • The poem's opening depicts soldiers enduring freezing winds and constant vigilance, their memories disrupted by flares, while they anxiously await an attack.
    • Owen uses a repetitive structure, each stanza beginning with a blunt statement followed by emotional vocabulary, culminating in the anticlimactic "but nothing happens" refrain.
    • This structure mirrors the soldiers' heightened state of alert, their anticipation of action perpetually deferred.
    • Owen employs pararhyme, a near-rhyme where consonant sounds are similar but vowels differ, further emphasizing their unsettled, incomplete state.
    • Personification is heavily used to portray weather as significantly dangerous, even more so than the enemy with lines like "winds that knife" and "mad gusts."
    • The poem's final stanza reiterates the "but nothing happens" refrain, reflecting a cyclical experience of waiting and futility.
    • The poem suggests that the soldiers view themselves as necessary sacrifices to protect a happy domestic life, a stark contrast to their lived reality.
    • Exposure is a powerful poem about the psychological toll of war, the futility of waiting for action, and the dehumanizing nature of constant fear.

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