Q30
2 marksShort AnswerSection C

What do the expressions on Ozymandias' face reveal about him?

Ozymandias
Character Analysis
Official Answer

The 'sneer of cold command', frown, and wrinkled lip on Ozymandias's shattered statue reveal that he was an arrogant, proud, and contemptuous ruler who commanded with cruelty and looked down upon his subjects. His expressions show a tyrant confident of his power, which sharpens the poem's irony, since his once-mighty empire now lies in ruins.

sneerarrogancecold command

Marking Scheme

  • 12 marks for arrogance/cruelty traits.

Hint

Focus on the word 'sneer'.

Quick Oral Answer

The expression shows he was a proud and heartless king.

Analysis & Explanation

This question is from Shelley's poem Ozymandias, which uses the ruined statue's facial expression to reveal the arrogance of a once-mighty king.


Concept

  • The sculptor skilfully captured the king's 'sneer of cold command', frown, and wrinkled lip on the statue's face.
  • These expressions reveal Ozymandias's arrogance, pride, contempt for his subjects, and tyrannical, commanding nature as a ruler.

Common mistakes

  • Students often describe the statue only physically (broken, lying in the desert) instead of focusing on what the FACIAL EXPRESSION reveals about his character, which is what the question asks.
  • Do not miss linking this arrogance to the poem's irony — despite his pride, his empire has vanished into the sand.

Real-world

  • The poem is a timeless reminder that power, arrogance, and tyranny are ultimately temporary, no matter how mighty a ruler once seemed.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many marks does this question carry in CBSE Class 10 English (Communicative) 2017?

This question carries 2 marks in the CBSE Class 10 English (Communicative) 2017 examination.

Which chapter does this question come from in English (Communicative)?

This question is from the chapter "Ozymandias" in the CBSE Class 10 English (Communicative) syllabus.

What topic does this question cover in English (Communicative)?

This question covers the topic "Character Analysis" from CBSE Class 10 English (Communicative).

What type of question is this in the CBSE Class 10 English (Communicative) 2017 paper?

This is a Short Answer question from Section C in the CBSE Class 10 English (Communicative) 2017 paper.