A Comparison of London and Ozymandias :: Poems Poetry Civilization Essays

A Comparison of London and OzymandiasA theme of Mortality lives in both verse forms. In London Blake talksabout the death and suffering of people, and in Ozymandias Shelleytalks about the death of a civilisation.A sense of someone dominating, someone with greater power occurs inboth poems. In London the large have this upper hand against thepoor, in Ozymandias this great leader is said to have this intensityover his enemies and his own people.In Ozymandias Shelley writes about a fallen empire, a civilisationthat must have gone down hill because now on that point is no sign of it. InLondon Blake tells us that the poorer people of this city be goingthrough a bad time, their empire has fallen ilk Ozymandiass empire,but in this case London has not collapsed. Blake writes about howLondon had drifted to a time of poverty and disease.Moods-----The two poems, both give a mental picture of depression and melancholy to thereader. Shelley uses different words to create this effect, whil eBlake writes how everyone is sad and weak.Great arrogance is shown in both poems. In Ozymandias the king showsthat he is arrogant, he describes himself on the pedestal, he talksabout how great and powerful ruler he is. In London the arrogance ofthe church compares to this.In London the rich betray the poor, because they have put their nameon everything. In Ozymandias the sculptor betrays the king when thestatue is being made.Styles------Both poems have phonological techniques like alliteration, rhyme andonomatopoeia. They are both concisely written and although short inlength are packed with layers of meaning and content.Strong modifiers are used throughout both poems, which createstension. thoroughly adjectives also help with imagery give a clear mentalpicture for example when Ozymandiass face is described, with itssneer and frown.Differences-----------Themes------In Ozymandias Shelley writes about an ancient civilisation. The poemis written in past tense. Blake writes about the London he iswitnessing London is written in the present tense.An obvious difference is that Blake writes about a civilisation, whichis in existence while Shelley writes about a civilisation that hasbeen disintegrated.The strength of authority is maintained in London while inOzymandias it has dissipated.Moods-----Ozymandias fills you with mystery about where the traveler came