Ozymandias + MLD

• Compare: Similar = impact of pride

  • "Ozymandias" - focuses on the hubris of its titular character, and how his belief in the transcendence of his power, and his own might, led to his ultimate downfall.
  • "My Last Dutchess" - explores ideas of how pride permeates into interpersonal relationships. The Duke's oppression of his wife and her eventual demise all stemmed from his ego.
• Compare: Similar = abuse of power

  • "Ozymandias" - focuses on how Ozymandias abused his power in order to give an appearance of might and power and in doing so, neglected his people.
  • "My Last Dutchess" - the Duke uses his authority over the weaker Duchess in order to control and sway her, an unjust of power that culminates in her death.
• Compare: Difference

  • "Ozymandias" - the character meets his eventual downfall at the hands of time and nature.
  • "My Last Dutchess" - No relief is offered, the Duke is moving on to find a new wife.
• Compare: Similar form

  • Both use one long large stanza
  • This serves to illustrate the tightness of control exerted by both the tyrants. There is minimal room for deviation or expression, rather the entire poem is condensed into one stanza.
• Compare: Different form

  • "Ozymandias" - Irregular rhyme scheme which provides some hope for freedom and expression.
  • "My Last Dutchess" - uses a regular ABAB rhyme scheme, in order to further reiterate that control and regularity to the reader.
• Compare: Similar enjambment

  • "Ozymandias" - used in order to comment on the illusion of freedom under the rule of a tyrant.
  • "My Last Dutchess" - used as it gives a sense of spoken word as well as making the poem seem less organized.
• Compare: Similar context

  • Both poems use historical figures to comment on contemporary societal issues.