New
New
Year 10
Eduqas

Critical attitudes to powerful institutions in 'London' and 'Ozymandias'

I can compare how Romantic poets use language, form and structure to critique power and authority.

New
New
Year 10
Eduqas

Critical attitudes to powerful institutions in 'London' and 'Ozymandias'

I can compare how Romantic poets use language, form and structure to critique power and authority.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Both poets critiqued the power held by institutions in society.
  2. Shelley focuses on the oppressor - King Ozymandias - and the tyrannical way he rules over his subjects.
  3. Blake focuses on the oppressed, exploring how corrupt institutions left people to suffer in abject poverty.
  4. Both Shelley and Blake were Romantic poets; their work critiques society while focusing on individual experiences.
  5. Both poets explore how power can be abused and advocate for an end to oppressive power.

Common misconception

The Romantics were known for writing about love and romance.

The Romantics are not to be confused with 'romantics' who may write love poetry. The Romantics most commonly wrote about nature and were known for critiquing the direction of society's progress.

Keywords

  • Succumb - giving way to the overwhelming power of another force

  • Condemn - express complete disapproval of

  • Futility - pointlessness or uselessness

  • Incessant - something unpleasant continuing without pause or interruption

  • Ephemeral - lasts for a very short time; fleeting and temporary

Task A encourages students to analyse Blake's illustration for 'London'. As a challenge or homework task, encourage students to imagine how Shelley may have illustrated his poem Ozymandias and why.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You will need access to a copy of the Eduqas GCSE Poetry Anthology ('Conflict' cluster).

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
  • Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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6 Questions

Q1.
Both William Blake and Percy Shelley...
wrote their poems ('London' and 'Ozymandias') in the 18th century
Correct answer: were Romantic poets
were medieval poets
Q2.
Which of the below provides an accurate definition of what it means to 'compare'?
Correct answer: evaluate the similarities or differences between two or more things
analyse one thing and analyse another afterwards
explore how much you enjoyed reading something
Q3.
What is a topic sentence?
an overarching argument about something that appears in the introduction
a sentence that appears in your conclusion to summarise your argument
Correct answer: a sentence that introduces an idea in each main body paragraph
Q4.
Why is it important to consider the wider historical context of a literary text in your analysis?
Correct answer: awareness of society's beliefs/attitudes can shape our interpretations
it can help us to understand archaic (old-fashioned) words and phrases
it shows that we know the text really well and makes our analysis more detailed
Q5.
Which of these is a valid similarity between the poems 'Ozymandias' and 'London'?
they both suggest how humans should be in awe of nature
Correct answer: they both show how institutions abuse their power
they both advocate for human power
Q6.
Which of these is a valid difference between the poems 'Ozymandias' and 'London'?
'Ozymandias' advocates for freedom whereas 'London' does not.
'Ozymandias' shows the struggle of nature; 'London' shows the power of nature.
Correct answer: 'Ozymandias' depicts one tyrant; 'London' depicts numerous corrupt institutions.

6 Questions

Q1.
When comparing 'Ozymandias' and 'London', why is it important to consider that Shelley and Blake were both Romantic poets?
they both wrote poems about love
Correct answer: they both reject powerful institutions
they are both fascinated with the past
Q2.
'Ozymandias' depicts the nature of human power, whereas 'London' depicts the nature of human power.
incessant, ephemeral
Correct answer: ephemeral, incessant
incessant, transient
Q3.
What should you do at the end of a comparative introduction?
narrow down on the similarities in both poems in relation to big ideas
write a sentence about both poems/poets exploring overarching similarity
Correct answer: explore subtle differences within the poem's similarities
Q4.
When did the Romantic period occur?
1500-1600s
1600-1700s
Correct answer: 1700-1800s
1800s-1900s
Q5.
Complete the missing word: 'Romantic literature often focused on experience.'
shared
Correct answer: individual
community
romantic
Q6.
How could Romantic ideas and conventions link to ideas of conflict?
Correct answer: exploring power and oppression often considers individual experiences
writing about love always includes links to power
there are lots of examples of power in everyday life
Correct answer: writing about powerful leaders often includes critiquing society's decisions