![Connecting with the Theme of "Ozymandias": The Bamiyan Buddhas](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/storyboard-srcsets/kristy-littlehale/connecting-with-the-theme-of--ozymandias---the-bamiyan-buddhas.png "Connecting with the Theme of "Ozymandias": The Bamiyan Buddhas")
Activity Overview
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.
The Buddhas of Bamiyan
- The Buddhas of Bamiyan were two large statues of Buddha carved into the side of a cliff in Afghanistan. Their origins are thought to be in the early-mid 6th century.
- One Buddha is smaller than the other. The larger Buddha was over 180 feet tall, and the smaller Buddha measured over 124 feet.
- The Buddhas were carved into the cliff at this location because it was once a Buddhist hub of activity. Buddhist monks used this site as a place to study, meditate, and worship. The statues were erected as a tribute to the power of Buddha, and there were many caves which the monks lived in, carved into the cliffside.
- There were many attempts to destroy the Buddhas over the centuries, and thankfully, most were unsuccessful. One Afghan king was successful in destroying the larger statue’s face.
- In 2001, the Taliban successfully destroyed the statues by blowing them up. The Taliban viewed the statues as idolatry, and decided that they went against the tenets of their interpretation of Islam. Behind the statues, great caverns filled with beautiful carvings were discovered.
- In 2011, despite the fact that the statues can apparently be repaired, UNESCO (The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) announced that it would not repair the Buddhas. They cite cost and lack of original materials for use in reconstruction in their decision. This great and powerful religious landmark now only exists in history books and pictures.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
- Click "Start Assignment".
- After researching man-made landmarks and structures, choose one to create a storyboard on.
- Find pictures in the creator search bar, and drag them into the different cells.
- Write a detailed description for each picture.
- Save and Exit
Lesson Plan Reference
Activity Overview
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.
The Buddhas of Bamiyan
- The Buddhas of Bamiyan were two large statues of Buddha carved into the side of a cliff in Afghanistan. Their origins are thought to be in the early-mid 6th century.
- One Buddha is smaller than the other. The larger Buddha was over 180 feet tall, and the smaller Buddha measured over 124 feet.
- The Buddhas were carved into the cliff at this location because it was once a Buddhist hub of activity. Buddhist monks used this site as a place to study, meditate, and worship. The statues were erected as a tribute to the power of Buddha, and there were many caves which the monks lived in, carved into the cliffside.
- There were many attempts to destroy the Buddhas over the centuries, and thankfully, most were unsuccessful. One Afghan king was successful in destroying the larger statue’s face.
- In 2001, the Taliban successfully destroyed the statues by blowing them up. The Taliban viewed the statues as idolatry, and decided that they went against the tenets of their interpretation of Islam. Behind the statues, great caverns filled with beautiful carvings were discovered.
- In 2011, despite the fact that the statues can apparently be repaired, UNESCO (The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) announced that it would not repair the Buddhas. They cite cost and lack of original materials for use in reconstruction in their decision. This great and powerful religious landmark now only exists in history books and pictures.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
- Click "Start Assignment".
- After researching man-made landmarks and structures, choose one to create a storyboard on.
- Find pictures in the creator search bar, and drag them into the different cells.
- Write a detailed description for each picture.
- Save and Exit
Lesson Plan Reference
How Tos about \"Ozymandias\" Theme Connection
Engage students with a creative poetry comparison activity
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.
Guide students to select a contemporary or local landmark
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.
Facilitate research on the chosen landmark’s purpose and significance
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.
Promote creative expression through poetry writing or visual comparison
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.
Encourage sharing and thoughtful discussion
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.
Frequently Asked Questions about \"Ozymandias\" Theme Connection
What is a good classroom activity to help students understand the theme of "Ozymandias"?
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.
How can teachers connect "Ozymandias" to real-world history lessons?
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.
What are some examples of man-made landmarks that relate to the themes in "Ozymandias"?
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.
Why were the Buddhas of Bamiyan destroyed, and how does this connect to the lesson?
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.
How do you create a storyboard for a lesson on "Ozymandias" using landmarks?
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.
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Ozymandias
![Ozymandias by Percy Bysshe Shelley - "Ozymandias" TPCASTT](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/storyboard-cells/985331/cell-col-1-row-0-w400.png "Ozymandias by Percy Bysshe Shelley - "Ozymandias" TPCASTT")
- 090331-N-2903M-005 • ResoluteSupportMedia • License Attribution (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
- Buddha statues, Bamyan, Afghanistan • N.Rio • License Attribution, Non Commercial (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/)
- Image taken from page 678 of 'De Aardbol. Magazijn van hedendaagsche land- en volkenkunde ... Met platen en kaarten. [Deel 4-9 by P. H. W.]' • The British Library • License No known copyright restrictions (http://flickr.com/commons/usage/)
- Inside one of the Caves • Tracy Hunter • License Attribution (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
- Scaffolding • Tracy Hunter • License Attribution (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
- Sunrise of Bamyan Valley • AfghanistanMatters • License Attribution (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
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