Answer :
The inscription "Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!" is ironic, highlighting Ozymandias's hubris and the impermanence of human achievements, as his once-grand empire now lies in ruins.
The pedestal in Percy Bysshe Shelley's poem "Ozymandias" serves a few key purposes:
- Irony: The inscription is deeply ironic. Ozymandias, the once-powerful king, boasts about his grand achievements and the extent of his power, challenging others to admire and despair at his works. However, the surrounding scene depicts nothing but ruins and desolation, showing the impermanence of human glory and power.
- Hubris: The inscription reflects Ozymandias's arrogance and pride. He is portrayed as having been so confident in his accomplishments that he believed they would remain impressive to future generations. This arrogance contrasts starkly with the reality of his ruined statue, which serves as a reminder of the futility of such pride.
- Theme of Transience: The inscription underscores the theme of the impermanence of human accomplishments. Despite Ozymandias’s attempt to immortalize his greatness, time has eroded his empire, leaving only a broken statue in the desert. It illustrates how all human endeavors, no matter how grand, are ultimately subject to the ravages of time and nature.
