Comparison: power and conflict 'Ozymandias' and 'my last duchess'

Could someone please give this a level and please provide improvements.
Its not quite done, sorry
Compare the way the poet represents the passing of time in ‘Ozymandias’ and one other poem.

Both Shelley and Browning explore the power of time threw their poems Ozymandias and my last duchess. In ‘Ozymandias’ Shelly highlights that nothing will withstand time other than nature, however in ‘My last duchess’ Browning uses time to highlight the lasting name of the duke and how he abuses it. Both poets use time to emphasize lasting memories threw portraits and statues.

In ‘Ozymandias’ time is presented as historic yet powerful and lasting. Shelly starts his poem with ‘’I met a traveller from an antique land’’ the word antique connotes old and worn out implying that this place has been abandoned for many years covered by the history of time. A traveller suggests that this place is not easy to find as it has been swallowed up by the sands of time. The word ‘I’ suggests that Shelly has never been there himself. Ancient Egypt had fallen to the romans therefor the reminisce of ancient Egyptian society is swallowed up by time leaving a barren land full of sand. Shelly could have done this to make his readers fear the passing of time as nothing can go against it.

Similarly in ‘My last duchess’ time is also presented threw the marriage of the duke and his ‘last duchess’. Browning starts the poem with ‘’that’s my last duchess’’ this shows that this marriage was in the past yet he drags it into the present to instil fear and dominance over his visitor, flaunting his power. The word ‘last’ indicates that time has past between her death and the present which could also imply he does not care for he suggesting as time passes he becomes more colder and possessive as he uses the word ‘my’. This indicates that the duke owns her even though she has died. This shows his possessive behaviour but also insecurity as he clings to the past as he was not the centre of her attention. Browning does this to give hints to his readers of how the duchess had died and why she died. He uses the Dukes behaviour to show as even time passes it causes insecurities and corruption to a person who wields so much power. He uses this to subtly convey his political message criticizing society threw the selfishness of the duke.
Shelley uses the shattered statue to reinforce the power of time. This is shown threw the description of the ‘’half sunk, shattered visage lies’’ The phrase half sunk implies that the statue is no long al mighty as it has been broken by time. Ozymandias was the other name for the tyrannical ruler Rameses ii who wanted to expand Egypt and thaught he would be remembered for ever threw his abuse of power. Ironically his memories as ‘half sunk’ which could indicate that his memories are being swallowed up by the sand. Perhaps Shelley uses the sands as a agent of time swallowing up all insignificance and ‘shattered visage’ the word shattered could suggest that his image has been shattered and he has now become little fragments in time which no one will find implying that time has shattered the power of Ozymandias and with it his last remaining memories. Shelly does this to not only attack Rameses but also King Gorge iii who was also a tyrannical ruler who oppressed many people below him. Shelly bases his poem on these rulers to warn his readers of these rulers and that power will always be passed down threw time. Perhaps time only dissolves the memories of a person rather than completely erasing their power and linage which could show that time is not all powerful as it leads up to believe.

However, in ‘My last duchess’ Browning explores the power of linage compared to the power of time. The Duke as a ‘’nine – hundred - year old name’’. This implies that the power and status of the duke has been built up for centuries adding to his pride making him think women are below him as ‘’who’d stoop to blame’’ indicating his centuries old name gives him the wright to believe taking with his wife is low, this leads to his insecurities and fears building up. Browning demonstrates that this 'nine – year - old name' is powerful enough to withstand time. Browning also uses this to express his criticism of this society and how power and status lead to pride which lead to fears and them death. He uses time to highlight the never ending cycle of death in Duke Ferrara's family as this has been going on for 9 centuries.

Reply 1

LadyOfTheGeeks

I would say around 19/30 (if you kept that up for the completed essay). Maybe.

One of the main things holding you back is your Technical Vocabulary. Rather than saying “the word” try and say the literary method used. Even though your analysis is there this will hold back many marks. For instance instead of “the word my” try “the possessive pronoun my”.
Try and also find some more complex methods such as juxtaposition, metaphors, caesura, motif, enjambment. To show more complex understanding.

I’m assuming you didn’t include a paragraph on structure and rhythm due to it being unfinished but just in case make sure to have at least one paragraph! Whether you talk the meter (iambic pentameter is always one examiners love) or go a bit simpler and discuss line length, stanza size and repetition it is essential to have.

I do not want to seem negative as it is very good and you have so much potential, if you were to just tweak it slightly you could get so many more marks because your analysis is strong.

Here are some more quick things you could strengthen:

Accuracy: spelling and homophones like “threw” → “through”, “wright” → “right”, “therefor” → “therefore”, and “Shelly” → “Shelley”. These errors hold you back.

Analysis Depth: Some points are surface-level. Aim to explore why the poet made certain choices and their deeper effects on the reader (how the reader will probably be thinking now and why the poet wants that in comparison to the other poets intentions).

Comparative Structure: Structure your paragraphs so that each one directly compares a technique or theme in both poems rather than treating them separately.

Your analysis is very strong just please write the method/technique instead of “the word”, delve into the poets intention and effects on reader a tiny bit more and you will do so much better! You’re clearly very capable writer and your context is very strong. Good luck, I hope this helps!