Ozymandias and Hawk Roosting

• What are the titles of the two poems discussed in the study material?

  "Ozymandias" and "Hawk in the Rooftops"
• What themes do "Ozymandias" and "Hawk in the Rooftops" explore?

  Power, nature, and human ambition
• How do the poems "Ozymandias" and "Hawk in the Rooftops" differ in their perspectives on authority?

  "Ozymandias" highlights the transitory nature of power, while "Hawk in the Rooftops" emphasizes dominance in the natural world
• Who is the presumed subject of the statue in "Ozymandias"?

  Ramses II
• What does the inscription "Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!" signify in "Ozymandias"?

  It amplifies the irony of the king's pride contrasted with the statue's decay
• What imagery is used in "Ozymandias" to convey the theme of decay?

  The "shattered visage" and "lifeless" expression of the statue
• How does Hughes's "Hawk in the Rooftops" portray the hawk?

  As an apex predator symbolizing dominance and raw power
• What type of imagery does Hughes use to describe the hawk's abilities?

  Vivid, visceral imagery
• What does the line "I am going to be the finest" in Hughes's poem suggest about the hawk?

  It exhibits the hawk’s unapologetic confidence in its abilities
• How does the structure of Hughes's poem differ from that of Shelley's "Ozymandias"?

  Hughes uses free verse, while Shelley employs a Petrarchan sonnet form
• What does the free verse structure in "Hawk in the Rooftops" suggest about the theme of power?

  It suggests that power and predation are natural states
• How does context influence the themes of "Ozymandias" and "Hawk in the Rooftops"?

  Shelley's poem reflects Romantic concerns, while Hughes's work embraces a post-modern perspective
• What era was "Ozymandias" written in?

  The Romantic era
• What does Hughes's embrace of a primal view of existence reflect in "Hawk in the Rooftops"?

  It reflects humanity's relationship with the natural world
• How do the structural choices in both poems enhance their themes?

  Shelley's rigid structure contrasts with the decay of power, while Hughes's free verse mirrors the hawk's freedom
• What are the key contrasts between "Ozymandias" and "Hawk in the Rooftops" in terms of imagery and themes?

  • "Ozymandias":
  • Imagery of decay and erosion
  • Theme of impermanence of human achievements
  • "Hawk in the Rooftops":
  • Imagery of dominance and predation
  • Theme of power as an inherent quality of nature
• How do "Ozymandias" and "Hawk in the Rooftops" provoke contemplation on power?

  • "Ozymandias":
  • Highlights the futility of human pride
  • Reflects on the temporary nature of human constructs
  • "Hawk in the Rooftops":
  • Celebrates the unapologetic dominance of nature
  • Suggests that true power lies in natural instincts
• What themes do both "Ozymandias" and "Hawk in the Roosting" explore?

  Power, nature, and human ambition
• How do the structures of "Ozymandias" and "Hawk in the Roosting" differ?

  "Ozymandias" is a sonnet, while "Hawk in the Roosting" uses free verse
• What does the traveler in "Ozymandias" narrate?

  The remnants of a grand statue in a barren desert
• What metaphor does the statue in "Ozymandias" represent?

  The transient nature of power
• How does the structure of "Ozymandias" contribute to its themes?

  The sonnet's tight structure contrasts with the sprawling desolation depicted
• When was "Ozymandias" written?

  1817
• What does the inscription on Ozymandias's statue convey?

  It reflects his arrogance and the irony of his downfall
• What imagery is used in "Ozymandias" to depict decay?

  "Two vast and trunkless legs of stone" and "shattered visage"
• What does "Hawk in the Roosting" portray about the hawk?

  It portrays the natural authority of the hawk in its domain
• How does the structure of "Hawk in the Roosting" affect its depiction of nature?

  The free verse structure allows for a fluid and dynamic depiction of nature's power
• What kind of language does Hughes use in "Hawk in the Roosting"?

  Visceral and raw language
• What does the imagery of the hawk's predatory instincts evoke?

  A sense of awe and respect for nature's unyielding authority
• When was "Hawk in the Roosting" written?

  1960
• How does "Ozymandias" reflect the Romantic period's themes?

  It emphasizes the sublime power of nature and critiques human hubris
• What broader skepticism does "Ozymandias" reflect in Romantic literature?

  The juxtaposition of past grandeur with present decay
• How does Hughes's approach in "Hawk in the Roosting" differ from Shelley's in "Ozymandias"?

  Hughes revels in nature's raw power, while Shelley critiques human ambition
• What does the hawk symbolize in "Hawk in the Roosting"?

  The perennial strength and continuity of nature
• How do the imagery choices in both poems serve different purposes?

  Shelley's imagery evokes loss, while Hughes's captures predation and power
• What does the shattered visage in "Ozymandias" symbolize?

  A haunting reminder of past glory and the decline of power
• What do the hawk's "mighty" wings symbolize in "Hawk in the Roosting"?

  An ongoing cycle of life and death in nature
• What are the key contrasts between "Ozymandias" and "Hawk in the Roosting"?

  • "Ozymandias" critiques human ambition; "Hawk in the Roosting" celebrates nature's power
  • "Ozymandias" uses a sonnet structure; "Hawk in the Roosting" uses free verse
  • Imagery in "Ozymandias" evokes loss; imagery in "Hawk in the Roosting" captures predation
• What are the main themes explored in both poems?

  • Power
  • Nature
  • Human ambition
• How do the contextual backgrounds of the poems influence their themes?

  • "Ozymandias" reflects Romantic skepticism about human hubris
  • "Hawk in the Roosting" reflects mid-20th century views on man's relationship with nature