Target Exam

CUET

Subject

English

Chapter

Comprehension - (Poetry / Literary)

Question:

Read the following poem and answer questions


I met a traveller from an antique land
Who said: Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the desert…Near them, on the sand,
Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown,
And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command,
Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,
The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed:
And on the pedestal these words appear:


'My name is Ozymandias, king of kings:
Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!'
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare
The lone and level sands stretch far away.

What does the phrase "Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!" suggest about Ozymandias's character?

 

Options:

 He was a humble ruler who cared for his people.

 He believed in his own greatness and sought to intimidate others.

He was a ruler known for his kindness and generosity.

 He expressed regret about his achievements.

Correct Answer:

 He believed in his own greatness and sought to intimidate others.

Explanation:

The correct answer is OPTION 2 -He believed in his own greatness and sought to intimidate others.

The phrase reflects Ozymandias's arrogance and confidence in his accomplishments. It indicates that he saw himself as superior to others ("ye Mighty") and intended for them to feel despair when comparing themselves to his greatness. This boastful declaration is ironic, given that nothing remains of his works, highlighting the theme of the transient nature of power and pride.