Sometimes, it is difficult for students to connect with themes in poetry until they put them into a real-world context. Consider the following activity for students to storyboard with "Ozymandias".
Ozymandias’ statue once stood in the pinnacle of civilization and human progress, ancient Egypt. The statue was carved as a tribute to Ramses II, a powerful leader who probably thought that his civilization would always be the most powerful. Have students do research on significant man-made landmarks and structures in the world. Have them choose the one(s) they like best, and do some research on why those structures were built. Were they a tribute? A religious piece? A sacred burial place for the dead? A sign of power? A structure of military defense? Have them look for pictures of the structure through the search bar in the Storyboard Creator and put them into a storyboard with a description of the reason for its origin and any interesting facts about it.
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Encourage students to compare the theme of impermanence in "Ozymandias" with a modern or local landmark. This helps learners connect poetry to their own lives and communities, making the theme more relevant and memorable.
Ask each student or group to choose a current monument, building, or landmark familiar to them. Choosing something from their own environment increases engagement and personal connection to the lesson.
Have students investigate when, why, and by whom their landmark was built. Encourage them to seek out stories, symbolism, and community meaning to deepen understanding.
Invite students to write a short poem or create a visual that compares their chosen landmark’s story to the message in "Ozymandias." This step sparks creativity and helps them synthesize ideas about legacy, time, and memory.
Organize a classroom gallery walk or group presentations. Allow students to share their work and reflect on how monuments and poetry capture human hopes and vulnerabilities.
A great classroom activity is to have students research famous man-made landmarks, create a storyboard explaining their origins and purposes, and connect these structures to the poem’s themes of impermanence and legacy. This helps students relate "Ozymandias" to real-world examples.
Teachers can guide students to research historical landmarks like the Buddhas of Bamiyan, exploring why they were built and how their stories reflect themes in "Ozymandias", such as the rise and fall of civilizations and the transience of human achievements.
Examples include the Buddhas of Bamiyan, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Colosseum, and the Great Wall of China. These structures, like Ozymandias’s statue, were built to display power or religious devotion but now often stand as reminders of history and change.
The Buddhas of Bamiyan were destroyed by the Taliban in 2001 for religious reasons. Their destruction connects to the lesson by illustrating how even great monuments can be lost, echoing "Ozymandias"’ message about the impermanence of human achievements.
After choosing a landmark, find relevant images, arrange them in a storyboard, and write descriptions explaining their significance and origin. This visual activity helps students analyze and connect the poem’s themes to historical examples.