Ozymandias by Percy Bysshe Shelley

Literature Lesson Plans - Sykalo Eugen 2024

Ozymandias by Percy Bysshe Shelley

Grade Level: 9-12 (adaptable)

Time Allotment: 1-2 Class Periods (45-90 minutes)

Learning Objectives:

  • Students will be able to identify and analyze the key themes in "Ozymandias" by Percy Bysshe Shelley.
  • Students will be able to interpret the use of literary devices like symbolism and imagery in the poem.
  • Students will be able to analyze the speaker's tone and perspective in the poem.
  • Students will be able to discuss the poem's connection to broader themes of power, time, and mortality.

Materials:

  • Copies of "Ozymandias" by Percy Bysshe Shelley
  • Whiteboard or projector
  • Markers/pens
  • Chart paper or handout (optional)
  • Dictionary (optional)

Lesson Procedures:

Day 1: Encountering the Poem and Analyzing Themes (45 minutes)

  1. Hook (5 minutes): Begin with a brainstorming session. Ask students to share what they know about powerful figures or empires throughout history. What happens to their power and legacy over time?
  2. Introducing the Poem (10 minutes): Introduce Percy Bysshe Shelley as a Romantic poet and briefly discuss the characteristics of Romanticism. Explain the title "Ozymandias" and its connection to a historical figure (optional).
  3. Reading and Close Reading (15 minutes): Distribute copies of "Ozymandias." Students can read independently or aloud as a class. After reading, guide the class through a close reading activity. Focus on specific lines that depict the statue, the surrounding landscape, and the inscription. Underline key phrases and consider the connotations of words used.
  4. Unveiling the Themes (15 minutes): Divide the class into small groups and assign each group a theme to analyze in the poem (e.g., power and its decline, the passage of time and mortality, human arrogance and overreach). Have them identify specific lines and literary devices (imagery, symbolism) that connect to their assigned theme. Groups will then share their findings with the class.

Day 2 (Optional): Deeper Analysis and Significance (45 minutes)

For Upper Grades (45 minutes):

  1. Speaker's Tone and Perspective (15 minutes): Discuss the speaker's tone in the poem. Is it mournful, ironic, angry, or something else? How does the speaker's perspective contribute to the overall message of the poem?
  2. Symbolism and Imagery (15 minutes): Focus on the imagery used in the poem, particularly the description of the ruined statue and the vast desert. What do these images symbolize? How do they reinforce the poem's themes?
  3. Connecting to the World (15 minutes): Facilitate a class discussion about the broader themes of "Ozymandias." How does the poem connect to the idea that even the most powerful empires eventually crumble? Is there a message about human ambition and its limitations? Consider real-world examples that connect to the poem's message.

Assessment:

  • Participation in class discussions and group activities
  • Close reading analysis worksheet identifying key themes, imagery, and figurative language
  • Short writing assignment analyzing the speaker's perspective and its impact on the poem's meaning
  • (Optional) Creative activity: students design a monument or symbol that represents the impermanence of power

Differentiation:

  • Provide scaffolding for struggling readers by offering the poem with annotations or a glossary of difficult words.
  • Offer extension activities for advanced students, such as researching the historical figure of Ozymandias (Ramesses II) or comparing "Ozymandias" to other poems that deal with similar themes.

Extension Activities:

  • Have students write their own short poem inspired by "Ozymandias," exploring themes of power, time, or legacy from a different perspective.
  • Research and present on other works of art (sculptures, paintings) that depict the decline of empires or the passage of time.
  • Create a short film or dramatic performance that interprets the themes of "Ozymandias."

This lesson plan provides a framework for a thoughtful exploration of "Ozymandias." By closely reading the poem, analyzing its language and imagery, and considering its broader themes, students will gain a deeper appreciation for Shelley's work and its enduring relevance.