Introduction
Both Percy Shelley's "Ozymandias" and Robert Browning's "My Last Duchess" are poems that present dramatic monologues that explore the theme of power and its limitations. The poems are set in different contexts and time periods, but both explore the idea of how power can corrupt and ultimately lead to downfall. This article will compare and contrast the two poems in terms of their themes, structure, and use of language.
Themes
One of the main themes in "Ozymandias" is the idea that power is temporary and ultimately meaningless. The speaker describes a statue of a once-powerful king, Ozymandias, that has been reduced to ruins. The poem suggests that even the most powerful rulers will be forgotten over time, and their legacies will be nothing more than ruins in the desert.
Similarly, "My Last Duchess" explores the theme of power and control. The speaker, a wealthy Duke, is showing a visitor around his art collection and stops to display a portrait of his former wife, the Duchess. Through his words, the reader realizes that the Duke was jealous and possessive of his wife, and ultimately had her killed. The poem suggests that the Duke's need for power and control led to his downfall, as he is left alone and isolated with his art collection.
Structure
"Ozymandias" is structured as a sonnet, with fourteen lines and a rhyme scheme of ABABACDCDEFEFGG. The poem is divided into two stanzas, with the first describing the statue of Ozymandias and the second reflecting on the theme of power and its limitations.
"My Last Duchess" is also structured as a dramatic monologue, but it is not a strict sonnet. The poem is written in iambic pentameter, with lines of ten syllables each. It is divided into rhyming couplets, with a total of 28 lines. The structure of the poem reflects the Duke's need for control, as he dominates the conversation and dictates the flow of the poem.
Language
The language used in "Ozymandias" is simple and direct, with vivid imagery that brings the statue of Ozymandias to life. The poem also uses irony, as the once-powerful king is now reduced to a pile of rubble in the desert. The final lines of the poem, "Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!" are particularly powerful, as they suggest that even the most powerful rulers will be forgotten over time.
"My Last Duchess" uses more complex language, with the Duke's words revealing his jealousy and possessiveness. The poem is also rich in imagery, particularly in the description of the portrait of the Duchess. The use of enjambment and caesura adds to the dramatic effect of the poem, as the Duke's words flow together to create a sense of tension and control.
Conclusion
Overall, "Ozymandias" and "My Last Duchess" are both powerful poems that explore the theme of power and its limitations. While they are set in different contexts and time periods, both poems suggest that the need for power and control can lead to downfall. The poems also use different structures and language to convey their themes, with "Ozymandias" using simple language and a sonnet structure, and "My Last Duchess" using more complex language and a rhyming couplet structure. Both poems are powerful examples of dramatic monologues and continue to be studied and appreciated by readers today.
