Ozymandias x My Last Duchess

What main themes do they both explore

How?

Themes of power, hubris, and the transience of human achievements

"Ozymandias" = the decay of a king's legacy; "My Last Duchess" = the Duke's possessiveness and control over his wife. 

Ozymandias - Shelley’s writers purpose

1. human power = transient, doesn’t last

2. human power is used to dominate/oppress others - he’s a TYRANT

3. highlights power of TIME + NATURE - first + final image of poem is the desert

My Last Duchess - Browning’s writer’s purpose

1. exposes abuse of male power - DF has power to take life, his need for dominance and control

2. portray toxic masculinity and misogyny - Duke expects total obedience from duchess

3. portray the objectification of women - as a portrait she’s literally his possession, duchess = powerless

Similarities

• Themes of Power and Hubris:

  Both poems grapple with the destructive nature of unchecked power and the dangers of excessive pride. 

• Transience of Human Achievements:

  Both poems highlight the fleeting nature of human power and the inevitability of decay and oblivion. 

• Focus on a Ruled Figure:

  Both poems center around a powerful figure, Ozymandias (a king) and the Duke, whose actions and legacies are explored. 

• Use of Imagery:

  Both poems employ vivid imagery to convey their themes, with "Ozymandias" using the ruined statue and desert landscape, and "My Last Duchess" using the portrait and the Duke's monologue. 

• Narrative Structure:

  Both poems employ a narrative structure where the power of the subject is presented through the voice of another character. 

Differences

• Scope of Power:

  "Ozymandias" focuses on the political and historical power of a king, while "My Last Duchess" explores the Duke's personal and domestic power. 

• Nature of Decay:

  In "Ozymandias," the decay is physical and external, representing the crumbling of a physical empire and legacy. In "My Last Duchess," the decay is more psychological and personal, reflecting the Duke's corrosive influence and the psychological toll of his actions on his wife. 

• Focus of the Poem:

  "Ozymandias" focuses on the legacy of the king and the power of time, while "My Last Duchess" focuses on the Duke's character and his control over his wife. 

• Narrative Voice:

  "Ozymandias" is told through the voice of a traveler who encounters the ruined statue, while "My Last Duchess" is a dramatic monologue delivered by the Duke himself. 

• Tone:

  "Ozymandias" has a more somber and reflective tone, while "My Last Duchess" is more dramatic and self-absorbed. 

Ozymandius quote on power and hubris

“My name is Ozymandias, king of kings: Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!”

• “king of kings” - usually refers to God in the Bible; Ozy uses it to refer to himself: suggests his immense arrogance and hubris

• “look on my works” - giving a command to other kings ~ illustrates his immense power (which was easily overcome by nature, also links to the transience of human power)

• TONE = aggressive, intimidating - shows how Ozy is corrupted by power

My Last Duchess quote for power

“Notice Neptune, though, taming a sea-horse”

• the CONTRAST in power symbolic of the power Duke Ferara has over the Duchess

• Neptune = god of the sea, sea-horse = small + fragile

  → suggests the Duchess’ fragility and powerlessness against the Duke

• Acts as a warning to his guest about the submissiveness the Duke expects from his next wife