English: 📚How to Answer the Compare Poems Question (AQA English)

Conflict / Relationship Poem AQA - sample answer included.

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Jan 08, 2025

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The question is worth 30 marks and should take 30 minutes to complete.

See an example of it here:

PEEL is a simple way to write a good paragraph for your essay. It stands for Point, Evidence, Explain, and Link. Start with a Point: this is your main idea or answer to the question.

Then, add Evidence: a short quote or example from the poem to support your point. Next, Explain: talk about what the evidence means and how it shows your point. Finally, Link: connect your paragraph back to the question or to the second poem if it’s a comparison. Using PEEL helps you write clear and focused paragraphs that are easy to follow.

PEEL

Compare how poets present ideas about power in ‘Ozymandias’ and in one other poem from ‘Power and Conflict’.

Both Ozymandias and Tissue explore the theme of power, but they do so in contrasting ways. Shelley’s Ozymandias critiques the arrogance and hubris of human power, showing how time and nature ultimately erode even the mightiest achievements. In contrast, Dharker’s Tissue takes a more reflective approach, presenting human power as fragile and transient, emphasizing its impermanence through the metaphor of paper. Both poems agree that human power is fleeting, yet they present this idea with contrasting tones—one critical, the other contemplative.

In Ozymandias, Shelley portrays power as overconfident and ultimately meaningless in the grand scheme of time. The "shattered visage" of the statue symbolizes the decay of the pharaoh's supposed greatness, while the "wrinkled lip" and "sneer of cold command" reflect his arrogance. The use of alliteration emphasizes the harshness of his rule, reinforcing the hubris of human ambition. However, the "lone and level sands" surrounding the ruins signify the enduring and indifferent power of nature, reclaiming the pharaoh's legacy. In comparison, Dharker’s Tissue also illustrates the fragility of human power, but her tone invites reflection rather than critique, using paper as a metaphor to suggest interconnectedness and vulnerability.

In Tissue, Dharker presents human power as delicate and impermanent, focusing on modern systems rather than individual figures. The metaphor of “paper buildings” suggests that human institutions like governments and borders are flimsy and easily destroyed, much like the pharaoh’s statue in Ozymandias. Dharker contrasts this fragility with the enduring strength of nature, illustrated in the line “the sun shines through,” which suggests that natural forces surpass human control. Unlike Shelley’s sharp critique of arrogance, Dharker’s approach is gentler, urging readers to accept the impermanence of human achievements and embrace the humility that comes with recognizing nature’s supremacy.

The structure of both poems reinforces their central ideas about power. Shelley uses a sonnet form in Ozymandias, but he breaks traditional rules by blending Petrarchan and Shakespearean styles, reflecting the instability and eventual collapse of human power. The poem’s volta, or turn, emphasizes how even the grandest monuments succumb to decay. In Tissue, Dharker’s free verse and unrhymed quatrains reflect the unpredictability and fragility of human constructs, mirroring the delicate nature of paper itself. Both poets use structural techniques to highlight the transient nature of power, yet Shelley’s structure is more rigid and fractured, while Dharker’s flows more freely, reflecting their differing tones.

The poets’ respective contexts deepen their messages about power. Shelley critiques tyrannical leaders like Ramesses II, whose attempts to immortalize their power through monuments fail in the face of time. His poem reflects the Romantic era’s focus on nature’s dominance and the fleeting nature of human ambition. In contrast, Dharker’s poem critiques contemporary materialism, highlighting how modern systems like money and government are fragile and short-lived. Both poets use their contexts to emphasize that human power, regardless of era or form, cannot outlast the natural world.

In conclusion, both Ozymandias and Tissue depict the transience of human power and the enduring strength of nature, but their approaches differ. Shelley critiques human arrogance through the decay of a statue, while Dharker reflects on the fragility of systems through the metaphor of paper. Both poets ultimately present a humbling message: nature’s power far exceeds anything humans can create, inviting us to reflect on our place in the world and the limitations of our ambitions.

Compare how poets present ideas about power in ‘Ozymandias’ and in one other poem from ‘Power and Conflict’.

30-Minute Exam Template: Comparing Poems

Follow this plan to manage your time effectively and structure your essay clearly.

1. Introduction (2-3 sentences)

Say what both poems are about.
Explain how they show the theme in different ways.

Example:
Both Ozymandias and Tissue show that human power does not last forever. Shelley criticizes rulers who think they are all-powerful, while Dharker shows that modern systems, like governments and money, are weak and temporary. Both poets agree that nature is stronger than human power.

(Use PEEL in Every Paragraph)

Point – What do both poems say about power?
Evidence – Use a short quote from each poem.
Explain – What do the quotes mean? How do they show power?
Link – How are the poems similar or different?

Paragraph 1: How Power is Shown

Point: Both poets show that human power is weak.
Evidence:
- Ozymandias: "shattered visage" (The broken statue shows lost power).
- Tissue: "paper buildings" (Weak human systems).
Explain:
- Shelley shows that rulers lose their power over time.
- Dharker shows that modern power is fragile, like paper.
Link: Both poems say power fades, but Shelley criticizes rulers, while Dharker is more thoughtful.

Paragraph 2: Structure and Tone

Point: The structure of both poems reflects their message about power.
Evidence:
- Ozymandias uses a broken sonnet (shows how power crumbles).
- Tissue uses free verse (shows that power is always changing).
Explain:
- Shelley’s poem feels rigid and broken, like the fallen statue.
- Dharker’s poem flows smoothly, showing that power is not fixed.
Link: Both show that power is temporary, but Shelley focuses on failure, while Dharker suggests change is natural.

Paragraph 3: Why the Poets Wrote This (Context)

Point: The poets were inspired by real-world ideas.
Evidence:
- Shelley wrote about Ramesses II to criticize arrogant leaders.
- Dharker wrote about modern systems like money and borders to show they are weak.
Explain:
- Shelley warns that powerful leaders will be forgotten.
- Dharker wants us to think about how power constantly shifts.
Link: Both show power doesn’t last, but Shelley attacks rulers while Dharker makes us reflect.

3. Conclusion (2-3 sentences)

Summarize the main idea – What do both poems say about power?
Mention one similarity and one difference.

Example:
Both poems show that human power is temporary. Shelley criticizes arrogant rulers, while Dharker shows that modern power is fragile. In the end, both remind us that nature is stronger than anything humans create.

Final Tips

✔ Compare both poems in every paragraph – Don’t separate them.
✔ Use short quotes – Just a few words are enough.
✔ Make clear links – Show similarities and differences.
✔ Keep it simple – One idea per paragraph.

Now you’re ready to write a great poetry comparison! 🚀