power and conflict

context and quotes

OZYMANDIAS by Percy Shelley

A poem by Percy Bysshe Shelley that explores themes of the fleeting nature of power and the inevitable decline of all leaders and empires. It depicts a traveler who recounts the ruins of a once-great statue in the desert, symbolizing the impermanence of human achievements and the hubris of those in power. About the Greek Pharaoh Rameses II. The poem ultimately serves as a cautionary tale about pride and the transience of fame, highlighting the idea that time erodes all human constructs.

QUOTES for OZYMANDIAS

‘The lone and level sands stretch far away’

‘Look on my works ye mighty and despair’

the hand that mocked them and the heart that fed’

‘and sneer of cold command’

LONDON by William Blake

A poem by William Blake that critiques the industrial society of 18th-century London, highlighting themes of social injustice, oppression, and the loss of innocence. It portrays the city as a dark and polluted place, where individuals suffer under the weight of poverty and societal constraints.The poem illustrates the despair and exploitation faced by the urban poor, emphasizing the emotional and psychological toll of living in such an environment.

QUOTES for LONDON

‘And blights with plagues the marriage hearse’

‘marks of weakness, marks of woe’

‘the mind forged manacles I hear’

‘runs in blood down palace walls’

EXTRACT FROM, THE PRELUDE

A poem by William Wordsworth that reflects on the beauty of nature, personal growth, and the impact of childhood experiences. It explores the relationship between the individual and the natural world, highlighting the transformative power of nature. This extract delves into themes of memory, imagination, and the profound influence of nature on the human spirit.

QUOTES from PRELUDE

‘the horizons bound, a huge peak, black and huge’

‘by day, and were a trouble to my dreams’

MY LAST DUCHESS by Robert Browning

A dramatic monologue by Robert Browning, exploring themes of power, jealousy, and the objectification of women. The speaker reflects on a portrait of his late wife, revealing his possessive and tyrannical nature. The poem illustrates the destructive nature of unchecked power and the consequences of jealousy in relationships.

QUOTES for MY LAST DUCHESS

‘I gave commands; then all smiles stopped together’

‘who'd pass without much the same smile?’

‘she looked on, and her looks went everywhere’

‘which Claus of Innsbruck cast in bronze for me!’

CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE by Alfred Tennyson

A poem by Alfred Lord Tennyson that depicts the valiant but doomed charge of British cavalry during the Crimean War, symbolizing the bravery and futility of war. It highlights themes of heroism, duty, and the consequences of conflict. The poem reflects on the bravery of the soldiers in the face of inevitable death, illustrating the tragic nature of warfare and the blind obedience to command.

QUOTES for CHARGE

‘rode the six hundred’

noble six hundred’

‘when can their glory fade?’

‘honour’

EXPOSURE by Wilfred Owen

A poem by Wilfred Owen that portrays the harrowing experiences of soldiers in World War I, focusing on the brutal realities of trench warfare and the psychological impact of war. It explores themes of suffering, fear, and the stark contrast between the romanticized notions of war and its grim realities. The poem emphasizes the torment of soldiers enduring freezing conditions, highlighting their vulnerability to both nature and warfare.

QUOTES for EXPOSURE

‘but nothing happens’

‘the merciless iced east winds that knive us’

‘for love of god seems dying’

‘all their eyes are ice’

STORM ON THE ISLAND

A poem by Seamus Heaney that explores the themes of nature's power and human vulnerability. It depicts the experience of a community facing a storm, reflecting on both physical and emotional aspects of conflict with the natural world. The poem illustrates the fierce confrontation between humanity and nature, showcasing how the storm serves as a metaphor for conflict and insecurity in the face of overwhelming forces.