Question

Respond in 5-8 complete sentences.
In the poem “Ozymandias” by Percy Bysshe Shelley, how are the words on the pedestal of Ozymandias’s statue ironic?

Answer 1

The words on the pedestal of Ozymandias's statue in the poem "Ozymandias" by Percy Bysshe Shelley are ironic because they proclaim the great ruler's arrogance and boastfulness, yet the statue lies in ruins in a desolate wasteland. The words "My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings" imply a sense of grandeur and power, suggesting that Ozymandias believed he was the greatest ruler of all. However, the irony lies in the fact that only fragments of the statue and the pedestal remain, highlighting the fleeting nature of power and the inevitable decay of all earthly empires. The words also state, "Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!", which further emphasizes Ozymandias's hubris as there is nothing left to inspire envy or fear. Thus, the words on the pedestal ironically serve as a reminder of the impermanence of human accomplishments and the ultimate futility of seeking absolute power.