COMPARING THE EFFECTS OF POWER IN
OZYMANDIAS AND ONE OTHER POEM YOU
STUDIED IN THE POWER AND CONFLICT SECTION.
Exemplar response.
Both Ozymandias and My Last Duchess illustrate the effects of power and how
it corrupts and eat away at people’s minds. Shelley depicts Ozymandias’ ‘sneer
of cold command’ as if to proclaim that he is a cruel and heartless tyrant, only
infatuated with his own prowess and the immortality it will bring. Similarly, the
Duke in My Last Duchess is engrossed with his own power and status. Although
the monologue is supposed to replicate a conversation, there is no opportunity
for his listener to speak- further highlighting the great power imbalance
present. Moreover, Browning writes the monologue to exhibit the Duke’s self-
obsession and that he is simply not interested in anyone else’s views other than
his own.
The Tyrant, heavily inspired by Ramses II, might have ‘cold command’ of his
‘lands’, just like how the Duke ‘gave commands’. Both poets are concerned with
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller mlei31. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $9.21. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.