Poetry part II

Reflection Questions on Poetry II

“Ozymandias”

1.  What is the condition of the statue?

it is half sunken into the ground

2.  What is ironic about the boast inscribed on the statue?
it is talking about being indestructible but it is broken

3.  What do you think is the intended meaning of the poem?

you should not boast because it is possible that you can be humiliated. it is very humbling.

“The Second Coming”

4.  What is the tone of the poem?

horror

5. What object does the poem refer to in the second stanza that has “a gaze as blank and as pitiless as the sun”?

the stare of the sphinx

6. What does the allusion to “Bethlehem” in the last line signify?

the devil will come and take the place of God

“Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night”

7.  What is the tone of the poem?

sad and somber

8. What does the speaker mean when he/she pairs the two opposites, “curse, bless me”?

show some emotion, don't just die

“The World is Too Much With Us”

9.  How does the speaker of the poem suggest we “lay waste our powers”?

getting and spending is what we waste our time on

10.  What powers might that be?

we can control and conquer nature

“My Mistress’ Eyes are Nothing Like the Sun”

11.  What is the tone of the poem?

mocking

12.  How does this poem differ from typical love poems?  
he is insulting her, not complementing her