Ozymandias

Irony is a prominent literary device in "Ozymandias," as the poem juxtaposes the grandiose claims of Ozymandias with the stark reality of his ultimate insignificance. The most striking example of irony lies in the inscription on the pedestal of the statue, which declares, "My name is Ozymandias, king of kings: / Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!" This boastful proclamation of eternal power and authority is ironic, given the dilapidated state of the monument and the bareness of the surrounding landscape. Ozymandias’ claim that commands viewers to "despair" is ironic because the "works" no longer exist, emphasizing how the world has moved on and forgotten about his exploits.

Shelley writes, “Two vast and trunkless legs of stone stand in the desert....Near them, on the sand, half sunk a shattered visage lies,” describing the stark irony that has befallen both Ozymandias and the inscription he left behind. Instead of inspiring awe and fear, the ruins of Ozymandias's empire serve as a testament to the transience of human achievements. The irony of the inscription lies in its unintended effect, as it ultimately underscores the folly of hubris and the inevitability of downfall.

The use of alliteration, such as in the phrase "boundless and bare," enhances the musicality of the poem and emphasizes the vastness of the desert landscape. Other phrases like "lone and level" also create rhythmic emphasis on the depopulated expanse surrounding Ozymandias's statue. Another instance of alliteration occurs in the description of the statue, where the traveler describes Ozymandias’ expression as displaying a “cold command,” driving forth the point about the Pharaoh’s self-grandeur and authoritarianism.

Shelley relies on alliteration to drive forth the strong imagery he creates throughout the poem and draws the reader into the world of ironies and existentialist thoughts. One of the most striking uses of alliteration comes in the poem's opening line: "I met a traveler from an antique land." The "t" sound repeats, creating a sense of timelessness and vastness. The traveler, a witness to history's ruins, connects the barren present to a one-prosperous past, appearing in words like "tale," "truth," and "time." Alliteration becomes a thread between two different timelines portrayed within the sonnet, despite the stark difference between the circumstances.

"Ozymandias" is replete with symbolism, with the statue of Ozymandias itself serving as the central symbol of the sonnet. As a representation of the Pharaoh's power and authority, the statue symbolizes the fleeting nature of worldly achievements and the inevitable decline of human empires. Besides the statue, the "vast and trunkless legs of stone" evoke the grandeur and scale of Ozymandias's reign, while the "shattered visage" symbolizes the decay and erosion of his legacy. The inscription on the pedestal, though intended to immortalize Ozymandias's name, becomes a symbol of his hubris and vanity, as it ironically emphasizes the ruler's ultimate insignificance.

The shattered statue of Ozymandias also serves as a potent symbol of the fragility of power and the ephemeral nature of human achievements, since it now lies in decay, mostly forgotten. Additionally, the sonnet's overall setting highlights the transience of everything that humanity has ever created. The desolate expanse further symbolizes time’s unrelenting nature and how nothing quite holds up to its finality, and even the mightiest emperors are eventually lost to history. Through its use of symbolism, "Ozymandias" explores profound themes of mortality, power, and the passage of time.

Shelley employs enjambment to create a sense of continuity and fluidity, mirroring the relentless passage of time and the cyclical nature of existence. He frequently uses enjambment to connect related ideas or images, allowing the poem to unfold gradually and build tension. For example, in the lines "Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown, / And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command," the enjambment between "frown" and "And" emphasizes the facial expressions of the statue and heightens the sense of vanity witnessed on the statue’s face.

Similarly, in the line "And on the pedestal, these words appear:," the enjambment between "appear" and the following line reinforces the anticipation of the reader as the inscription on the pedestal is revealed. Through skillful use of enjambment, "Ozymandias" maintains a sense of fluidity and urgency, drawing the reader deeper into the poem's themes and imagery. The words flow consistently, allowing the reader to immerse themselves in the picture Shelley tries to create as the traveler’s journey is recounted throughout the sonnet.