Both poems initially appear to have the same central image, depicting the theme of pride.

Both poems emphasise this theme through the use of extended metaphors. In Poem A, the
extended metaphor of a hawk roosting is used. Likewise, in poem B, the extended
metaphor of a conversation between two travellers is used to convey the theme of pride. By
choosing to have a single image to portray the theme, it allows readers to have a clearer
picture of what the poet aims to bring across.
Both poems also make use of the first-person perspective. In Poem A, through the
personification of the hawk, the readers are able to gain insight into its thoughts and
emotions, which bring across the feelings of pride it has. For instance, the line and the
earths face upward for my inspection shows that the hawk believes it is superior to all
organisms living on the earth, and that it has the authority to [inspect] the earth, showing
the feelings of pride it has in its status. Similarly, in Poem B, the subject of the poem is
referred to in the first person (I met a traveller from an antique land). The use of the first-
person perspective makes the poem seem relatable to the reader, which also conveys the
message that pride is something everyone can relate to and might have experienced at some
point in their lives.
Yet, although both poems appear to have the same theme from the outset, their approach to
the theme is vastly different. Poem A deals more with the emotional aspect of pride, whereas
Poem B deals more with the consequences of pride, and this difference is highlighted
through the tone the two poets adopt. In Poem A, the tone is rather haughty, as if to highlight
the paradigm shift in attitude experienced by a proud person. The hawk also makes constant
references to itself, as if to make itself the main subject of the poem. For instance, in the
lines It took the whole of Creation/To produce my foot, my each feather, by specifying the
valued parts of its body, it shows that the hawk obviously thinks very highly of itself to think
that it was worthy of Creation to have produced it. This manipulation is clever on the poets
part, as it reflects the nature of pride in that a proud person would be frequently inclined to
place themselves on a pedestal. Conversely, in Poem B, the tone is more dramatic and
solemn, as if trying to illustrate the severity of the consequences that having too much pride
can bring about. Strongly-worded phrases such as colossal wreck, boundless and bare
and decay are used to describe the ruins beside the pedestal of Ozymandias, the pedestal
alluding to pride.
In conclusion, the two poems have very little similarity beyond their shared theme of pride.
The portrayal of pride is done so in completely different lights in Poem A, we are led to
believe that pride causes a multitude of different emotions that leads to a change in attitude,
whereas in Poem B we are shown the effects of pride on a haughty person.