"Ozymandias," written by Percy Bysshe Shelley, is a poem that employs a literary device known as irony. Irony is a technique that involves the use of words to convey a meaning that is opposite to their literal interpretation. In "Ozymandias," Shelley uses irony to convey the theme of the inherent transience of power and the ultimate futility of human achievement.
The title of the poem itself is an example of irony. "Ozymandias" was the Greek name for Pharaoh Ramses II, who was known for his grandiose building projects and was considered one of the most powerful rulers in ancient Egypt. However, the poem reveals that Ozymandias is now nothing more than a forgotten statue, lying in ruins in the desert. The contrast between Ozymandias's former grandeur and his current state of decay is an example of dramatic irony, as the reader is aware of the contrast between the statue's past and present, but the statue itself is not.
The poem's speaker encounters the statue of Ozymandias and is struck by its inscription, which boasts of the ruler's greatness and the timelessness of his achievements. However, the statue itself is a testament to the opposite: that Ozymandias's power and achievements have been forgotten and that he is now nothing more than a "trunkless leg of stone." This contrast between the inscription's grandiose claims and the reality of the statue's current state is another example of irony.
The final lines of the poem, "Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!" are particularly ironic, as they imply that Ozymandias's works were meant to be admired by future generations. However, the reality is that no one is left to look upon these works, and they are nothing more than a "colossal wreck" in the desert.
In conclusion, Percy Bysshe Shelley uses irony effectively in "Ozymandias" to convey the theme of the inherent transience of power and the ultimate futility of human achievement. Through the contrast between the statue's former grandeur and its current state of decay, and the discrepancy between the inscription's claims and the reality of the statue's current condition, Shelley highlights the fleeting nature of power and the ultimate insignificance of human endeavors.
The Irony in the Poem Ozymandias Free Essay Example
Artistsā¦ To His Coy Mistress Analysis The first rhetorical strategy the speaker employs is imagery. In the next lines, the tone becomes more serious and fearful. Literary Analysis Of Benjamin Alire Saenz's To The Desert Poetry is an expression of a writer 's inner thoughts and underlying affection. Throughout the entire poem, imagery is present, providing readers with powerful scenes. Shelly raises several themes in the poem. It shows that the Greek people had a strong belief that they were right and that the gods would seeā¦ An Analysis of the Famous Statue of Akhenaton.
Then towards the end of the poem there was an inscription that contradicted itself. In addition to using the elements to foreshadow events, Shelley also uses various literary devices. Explore more Born into a well-to-do family, Shelley eventually attended Oxford, where he first started his writing career. Perhaps the speaker felt that the audience was not appreciative enough of some previous efforts at immortalizing him or her in verse! We then can go back and look at how Shelley described the statue. Ozymandias was so full of authority, even though there was nothing left of what he boasts. That expectation is reflected in the inscription: Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair! In the poem, Shelley uses irony as a form of satire, mocking tyranny.
In this statue we have a punishment from the gods for an attempt to prevent the victory of the Greeks. The rhyme scheme is also a deviation from the traditional English sonnet. Shelley uses several types of irony, including situational irony. Round the decay Of that colossal Wreck, boundless and bare The lone and level sands stretch far away. This makes any person want to stare right back at it. His poem To the Desert, has a deeper meaning than what is actually being portrayed. Much to my surprise, the story take a whole different turn.
When looking at Ozymandias we should look at the Greek breakdown of the name. Ozymandias was a king that had everything and was so powerful. Shelley was inspired by the fact and started writing this poem in the same year. . His good friends include Frankenstein. Irony in Ozymandias Shelly produces a wonderful piece of irony in Ozymandias.
Often there is a full moon the novel then refers to a female character and more importantly to Victors beloved Elizabeth. His puckered lips and facial hair just add to the dramatic look of the statue. Being constructed by Shelley, humanoid in shape and made from body parts, the creature becomes a walking embodiment of death and decay. He breaks normal organization of works and pushes the use of character flaws out of view. Some readers may assume that it is only about living in the desert and adapting to the environment itself. The leader, much like his land, and much like the broken statue depicting him, has fallen.
Tragically, Shelley died young, at the age of 29, when the boat he was sailing got caught in a storm. In looking at the condition of the statue and his words after you really do see the irony of the situation. In this statue of Akhenaton, the thighs are wide, the hips are narrow, the face is elongated and narrow, the lips are large, the arms and fingers are narrow and long, and there are breasts. The poem highlights the reality that all of humankind and our creations are ephemeral. There is absolutely nothing left.
Explain the "irony" in the poem, "Ozymandias." by Percy Blythe Shelly
Ozymandias was actually another name for the pharaoh, who ruled over the nineteenth dynasty of ancient Egypt. If he had nurtured his people instead of oppressing them their passion would have been with maintaining his memory, instead of destroying it. It is easiest to begin from the inscription on the base of the statue as it gives us the best insight into the man it represents. The effective description provides credibility to the environment, and makes the later events all the more shocking, Compare And Contrast Ozymandias And Viva La Vida 784 Words 4 Pages In the poem Ozymandias and the novel, The Scarlet Pimpernel, the authors tell stories of two men whose thirst for victory and rule turn them into unforgiving leaders. Allusion is a reference to a historical or literary person, place or even with which the reader is assumed to be familiar. It is in these lines that the theme of the poem emerges: all leaders will eventually pass, and all great civilizations will eventually turn into dust.
But when the onlooker sees it, it is not only shattered, but it lies in the midst of a wasteland. In the next line, the traveler provides interesting insight into the leader here. The use of sandstone here shows the abandonment of old kingdom practices. . Shelley lived during the late 18th and early 19th century, during the industrial revolution. At that time, for Europeans, places like Egypt were considered exotic and that adds to the popularity of the sonnet at the time. We also already know what a good leadership creates; engaging the followers.
Discuss Free Madrid Metro Metropolitana di Napoli Ozymandias 1. He is far too vain. . They challenged one another to write a sonnet out of it. Sight and blindness are important themes in the play Oedipus the King, in the scene where Tiresias talks with Oedipus sight is meant to represent knowledge and blindness ignorance, but at the end of the play when Oedipus cuts out his eyes, Sophocles gives the two themes an inverse relationship and sight is meant to represent ignorance and blindness knowledge.
. In the story, he describes visiting Egypt. The poem does not follow a regular sonnet rhyme scheme so it reflects the way that human power and structures can be destroyed. Yeats, and Upton Sinclair and became regarded as a major romantic poet. To make the poem more impressive, the author uses smart diction to impart the audience his sarcastic tone towards Pharaoh Ozymandias. The author portrays this idea by emphasizing how Lydia and George are wealthy, and how they have bought everything Wendy and Peter have desired.
