High School

In the poem "Ozymandias" by Percy Bysshe Shelley, how are the words on the pedestal of Ozymandias's statue ironic?

Answer :

Final answer:

In "Ozymandias" by Percy Bysshe Shelley, the words on the statue's pedestal are ironic because they boast of greatness and power, yet the statue itself is found in ruins, demonstrating time's erosion of all things.

Explanation:

In the poem Ozymandias by Percy Bysshe Shelley, the words on the pedestal of Ozymandias' statue are highly ironic. The inscription reads, "My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings; Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!" However, the surrounding scene is one of ruin and desolation, with nothing but the broken remains of the statue left to gaze upon. This stark contrast exemplifies irony, as the boastful claim of enduring power and greatness is undercut by the reality of time's inevitable decay.

The irony in the poem is that the great statue, which is in ruins in a far-off, desolate desert, contradicts Ozymandias' words on the pedestal, in which he declares himself king of kings and commands that all others who aspire to greatness should look on his works and despair.

What does the poem demonstrate?

The poem displays Ozymandias' haughtiness.

Ozymandias believed that his people would always be powerful, as evidenced by the poem.

Ozymandias had the idea that his empire would be renowned and legendary forever.

To know more about Ozymandias visit:

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