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Horace Smith's sonnet titled "Ozymandias" was published subsequent to, not prior to, Shelley's version.
Answer: True
Explanation: Horace Smith's sonnet "Ozymandias" was published several weeks after Shelley's poem appeared in *The Examiner*, following a friendly literary competition between the two poets.
The literary inspiration for Shelley's and Smith's "Ozymandias" poems stemmed from a shared interest in the historical figure Ramesses II, rather than Greek mythology.
Answer: True
Explanation: The inspiration for both poets' "Ozymandias" sonnets originated from a literary challenge focused on the Egyptian pharaoh Ramesses II, known by his Greek appellation, Ozymandias.
Percy Bysshe Shelley's "Ozymandias" was influenced by his earlier work *Queen Mab* and Constantin François de Chassebœuf's *Les Ruines*, not by the writings of Lord Byron.
Answer: True
Explanation: Beyond the immediate inspiration from Horace Smith, Shelley's "Ozymandias" drew influence from his own earlier work, *Queen Mab*, and Constantin François de Chassebœuf's *Les Ruines*.
Which earlier work by Shelley is cited as an influence on "Ozymandias"?
Answer: Queen Mab
Explanation: Shelley's "Ozymandias" drew influence from his own earlier work, *Queen Mab*, as well as Constantin François de Chassebœuf's *Les Ruines*.
The poem "Ozymandias" was written in the context of a literary competition with which contemporary poet?
Answer: Horace Smith
Explanation: The poem originated from a literary challenge between Shelley and his friend Horace Smith, who both chose to write on the theme of the Egyptian pharaoh Ramesses II.
The inscription on the pedestal in Shelley's poem is derived from the writings of the ancient Greek historian Diodorus Siculus, not the Roman historian Tacitus.
Answer: True
Explanation: The inscription featured in Shelley's poem is based on a passage found in the *Bibliotheca historica* by the ancient Greek historian Diodorus Siculus.
In "Ozymandias," Shelley adapts the historical account of Diodorus Siculus by incorporating him as a narrative device, portraying him as a 'traveller from an antique land.'
Answer: True
Explanation: Shelley creatively adapted Diodorus Siculus's historical account by transforming the historian into a character within the poem, presented as a "traveller from an antique land" who discovered the statue.
Shelley commenced writing "Ozymandias" in anticipation of the arrival of the "Younger Memnon," a significant statue fragment of Ramesses II.
Answer: True
Explanation: Shelley began composing "Ozymandias" in anticipation of the "Younger Memnon," a substantial fragment of a statue depicting Ramesses II, which was being transported to Britain.
The Italian archaeologist Giovanni Battista Belzoni is credited with acquiring the "Younger Memnon" statue fragment from the Ramesseum.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Italian archaeologist Giovanni Battista Belzoni successfully acquired the "Younger Memnon" statue fragment from the Ramesseum site.
The "Younger Memnon" statue fragment, acquired in 1817, did not reach London until 1821.
Answer: True
Explanation: Giovanni Battista Belzoni acquired the "Younger Memnon" fragment in 1817; however, its arrival in London was delayed until 1821.
The "Younger Memnon" statue fragment weighed approximately 7.25 short tons.
Answer: True
Explanation: The "Younger Memnon" statue fragment possessed an approximate weight of 7.25 short tons, equivalent to 6.58 metric tons.
What historical figure, known in Greek as Ozymandias, is the subject of Shelley's poem?
Answer: Ramesses II
Explanation: The poem "Ozymandias" centers on the Egyptian pharaoh Ramesses II, whose name was rendered as Ozymandias in Greek.
What significant archaeological find related to Ramesses II was anticipated around the time Shelley wrote "Ozymandias"?
Answer: The arrival of the "Younger Memnon" statue fragment
Explanation: Shelley began composing "Ozymandias" in anticipation of the "Younger Memnon," a substantial fragment of a statue depicting Ramesses II, which was being transported to Britain.
Who acquired the "Younger Memnon" statue fragment?
Answer: Giovanni Battista Belzoni
Explanation: The Italian archaeologist Giovanni Battista Belzoni successfully acquired the "Younger Memnon" statue fragment from the Ramesseum site.
The inscription on Ozymandias's pedestal reads, "My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings: / Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!"
Answer: True
Explanation: The inscription on the pedestal of the ruined statue, as presented in the poem, is: "My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings: / Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!"
"Ozymandias" is structured as a sonnet, comprising fourteen lines, rather than sixteen, and does not strictly adhere to the Petrarchan form.
Answer: True
Explanation: Shelley's "Ozymandias" is a sonnet, characterized by its fourteen lines and a specific rhyme scheme (ABABACDCEDEFEF), employing a loose iambic pentameter.
The phrase "sneer of cold command" in the poem suggests the sculptor accurately captured Ozymandias's imperious nature.
Answer: True
Explanation: The descriptive phrase "sneer of cold command" implies that the sculptor skillfully rendered Ozymandias's arrogant and commanding disposition, preserving his passions in stone.
The archaic spelling "desart" in the poem is an 18th-century variant of the word "desert."
Answer: True
Explanation: The term "desart," appearing in the poem, is recognized as an 18th-century spelling variant for the word "desert."
What geographical feature surrounds the ruined statue in the poem's setting?
Answer: Vast, empty desert sands
Explanation: The poem depicts the ruined statue situated within a vast and empty desert landscape, emphasizing desolation and the passage of time.
What is the poetic form and meter of Shelley's "Ozymandias"?
Answer: A sonnet in loose iambic pentameter
Explanation: Shelley's "Ozymandias" is a sonnet, characterized by its fourteen lines and a specific rhyme scheme (ABABACDCEDEFEF), employing a loose iambic pentameter.
What does the poem's description of the statue's remnants include?
Answer: Two trunkless legs of stone with a shattered visage nearby.
Explanation: The poem depicts the ruined statue as comprising two vast, trunkless legs of stone standing in a desert, accompanied by a shattered visage half-buried in the sand.
What does the poem suggest about the sculptor's abilities?
Answer: Capturing Ozymandias's passions accurately in stone.
Explanation: The poem suggests the sculptor possessed significant skill, as they were able to accurately capture and convey Ozymandias's passions, which "yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things."
What word is the archaic spelling "desart" in the poem an 18th-century variant of?
Answer: Desert
Explanation: The term "desart," appearing in the poem, is recognized as an 18th-century spelling variant for the word "desert."
What does the phrase "King of Kings" in the inscription imply about Ozymandias's self-perception?
Answer: He claimed supreme authority over other rulers
Explanation: The inscription "King of Kings" suggests that Ozymandias perceived himself as holding supreme authority over all other rulers, reflecting his immense pride and ambition.
A central theme of "Ozymandias" is the inevitable decay of power and the concept of hubris, rather than the enduring nature of political power.
Answer: True
Explanation: The poem critically examines the transience of power and the folly of hubris, illustrating how even the mightiest legacies are ultimately subject to time and oblivion.
"Ozymandias" is considered Shelley's best-known and one of his finest poems, though it is noted as being somewhat uncharacteristic of his typical political radicalism.
Answer: True
Explanation: While "Ozymandias" is widely regarded as one of Shelley's most accomplished works, its thematic focus and tone are considered somewhat atypical compared to his more overtly political or radical poetry.
The poem "Ozymandias" implies that Ozymandias's works did not endure perfectly, but rather that his power and legacy ultimately succumbed to time and decay.
Answer: True
Explanation: Contrary to Ozymandias's boastful inscription, the poem emphasizes the impermanence of power and achievement, as his mighty works have been reduced to ruins in a desolate landscape.
What are the primary themes explored in Shelley's "Ozymandias"?
Answer: The inevitability of power's decay and the concept of hubris
Explanation: The poem primarily explores the themes of the inevitable decay of power and the concept of hubris, illustrating how even the greatest legacies are subject to time and oblivion.
How is "Ozymandias" generally regarded within Percy Bysshe Shelley's poetic oeuvre?
Answer: As his best-known and one of his finest, though somewhat uncharacteristic
Explanation: While "Ozymandias" is widely regarded as one of Shelley's most accomplished works, its thematic focus and tone are considered somewhat atypical compared to his more overtly political or radical poetry.
The irony in "Ozymandias" stems from the contrast between what two elements?
Answer: Ozymandias's boastful inscription and the desolate reality.
Explanation: The poem employs irony by juxtaposing Ozymandias's arrogant inscription about his mighty works with the desolate reality of his ruined statue surrounded by an empty desert, underscoring the ultimate failure of his power and ambition.
What does the poem convey about the nature of power and legacy?
Answer: Power is temporary, and legacies are vulnerable to time and oblivion.
Explanation: The poem suggests that power is temporary and legacies are vulnerable to the passage of time, ultimately leading to oblivion regardless of a ruler's initial might or ambition.
What does the contrast between Ozymandias's inscription and the surrounding desert emphasize?
Answer: The futility of human pride and the impermanence of achievements.
Explanation: The stark contrast between Ozymandias's boastful inscription and the desolate, sandy landscape serves to highlight the futility of human pride and the ultimate triumph of time and nature over even the grandest ambitions.
Shelley's "Ozymandias" significantly impacted European perceptions of the historical pharaoh Ramesses II.
Answer: True
Explanation: Literary analysis indicates that Shelley's portrayal of Ozymandias in the poem played a notable role in shaping European views of the ancient Egyptian pharaoh.
"Ozymandias" is frequently featured in educational curricula, including the AQA GCSE English Literature Power and Conflict Anthology.
Answer: True
Explanation: The poem "Ozymandias" is commonly included in educational syllabi, such as the AQA GCSE English Literature Power and Conflict Anthology, for its thematic relevance and literary merit.
Mary Shelley's novel *Wuthering Heights* shows the influence of Percy Bysshe Shelley's poem "Ozymandias."
Answer: False
Explanation: The novel *Wuthering Heights* was authored by Emily Brontë, not Mary Shelley, and while literary influences are complex, the primary cited novel influenced by "Ozymandias" is *Wuthering Heights*.
An episode of the television series *Breaking Bad* was titled "Ozymandias," serving as a metaphor for the downfall of the protagonist's criminal empire.
Answer: True
Explanation: The acclaimed television series *Breaking Bad* featured an episode titled "Ozymandias," which effectively employed the poem's themes of fallen power and ruined legacies to symbolize the collapse of the protagonist's criminal enterprise.
The character Adrian Veidt in the *Watchmen* franchise is also known by the name Ozymandias.
Answer: True
Explanation: Adrian Veidt, a central antagonist in the *Watchmen* franchise, adopts the moniker Ozymandias, drawing a thematic parallel to Shelley's poem.
A fossil fish discovered in California was named *Ozymandias gilberti* in honor of Shelley's poem.
Answer: True
Explanation: A fossil fish discovered in California, dating from the Miocene epoch, was scientifically named *Ozymandias gilberti* by David Starr Jordan, referencing Shelley's celebrated poem.
Which novel is mentioned as having been influenced by Shelley's "Ozymandias"?
Answer: Wuthering Heights
Explanation: The novel *Wuthering Heights* by Emily Brontë shows the influence of Shelley's poem "Ozymandias."
The television series *Breaking Bad* featured an episode titled "Ozymandias" that served as a metaphor for what aspect of the protagonist's story?
Answer: The downfall of the protagonist's criminal empire
Explanation: The acclaimed television series *Breaking Bad* featured an episode titled "Ozymandias," which effectively employed the poem's themes of fallen power and ruined legacies to symbolize the collapse of the protagonist's criminal enterprise.
What is the primary reason "Ozymandias" is frequently included in school curricula?
Answer: It is perceived as relatively simple and easy to memorize
Explanation: The poem "Ozymandias" is commonly included in educational syllabi due to its perceived simplicity and the relative ease with which students can memorize its lines.
Which media franchise features a character named Adrian Veidt, also known as Ozymandias?
Answer: Watchmen
Explanation: Adrian Veidt, a central antagonist in the *Watchmen* franchise, adopts the moniker Ozymandias, drawing a thematic parallel to Shelley's poem.
In the film *Alien: Covenant*, how is Shelley's poem referenced by the AI character David?
Answer: The decline and demise of the human empire
Explanation: In *Alien: Covenant*, the AI character David quotes the poem, using its themes of decline and demise to predict the end of the human empire.
What media company derived its name from Shelley's poem "Ozymandias"?
Answer: "Ozymandias"
Explanation: The media company Ozy derived its name directly from Percy Bysshe Shelley's poem "Ozymandias."