The theme pride and tyranny are present in both ‘Ozymandias’ and ‘My Last Duchess’
through dictatorship and patriarchy at the time, which are further emphasised through ‘art’
and possession of the inferior.
The poems "Ozymandias" and "My Last Duchess" both talk about power but from different
angles. In "Ozymandias," Percy Bysshe Shelley uses strong images and words to show a
once-powerful statue now in ruins, suggesting that power doesn't last forever. The words on
the statue, saying "Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!" are ironic because the place
around it is empty and ruined, showing how power fades away. In "My Last Duchess" by
Robert Browning, power is seen through the Duke's words. He talks possessively about his
late wife and tells the story of her fate, revealing a darker side of having control. The Duke's
words, like "My gift of a nine-hundred-years-old name," show how he thinks his family's
history gives him authority. Both poems use language tricks to show that power can be
temporary, as seen in the ruins of a once-great leader, or it can be misused, as the Duke
controls and silences his wife.
Furthermore the poems offer contrasting perspectives on authority. In "Ozymandias," Percy
Bysshe Shelley paints a vivid picture of a fallen statue, using strong images to illustrate the
arrogance of a once-mighty king. The sculptor's choice of a "sneer of cold command"
conveys the ruler's tyrannical nature, highlighting his dominance. However, the irony lies in
the shattered state of the statue, showing the impermanence of power despite the initial
grandiosity. Conversely, Robert Browning's "My Last Duchess" delves into power dynamics
through the Duke's monologue. His possessive language, such as referring to the Duchess's
"smiles stopped together," hints at his control over her. The Duke's recounting of her fate
reveals a darker side of authority, demonstrating how power can lead to silence and
submission. Both poems employ language techniques like irony and dramatic monologue to
reveal the intricacies of power, with one emphasizing its fleeting nature and the other
exposing its potential for manipulation and suppression.
In conclusion, the poems "Ozymandias" and "My Last Duchess" tell us different stories
about power. In "Ozymandias," we learn about a powerful king whose statue is now in ruins,
showing us that power doesn't last forever. In "My Last Duchess," we hear about a man who
controlled his wife, revealing the dark side of having power over an inferior. Using vivid
words and clever ideas, these poems help us see that power can fade away, like the ruins of
a statue, or it can be used in a not-so-good way, like the man who controlled his wife.
Overall, these poems make us think about how power can be complex and isn't always
worthy.