#Ozymandias imagery full#
The use of surroundings is also the symbolism of how things can be so full of life and power can transform to become dull and abandoned. The location of the statue is in a desert tells that the environment is isolated and obsolete, showing the power of time in this secluded place, as the sand and heat eroded the statue. Not only is alliteration present in the poem, but also assonance in the words “stand” and “sand” inline-three that is used to set a mood and a tone of a long period of time as the sound of the words sound lengthened when read aloud. The use of alliteration in “boundless and bare” creates a long, drawn-out sound like an echo that shows the lonesome and sad atmosphere in the desolate desert.
“Ozymandias” also consists of many different types of literary techniques and devices that further support the idea of using irony to show the theme of the temporary nature of things. The line “The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed” implies the arrogance of Ozymandias which was recorded by the sculptor’s grand skills, as stated in the poem “Tell that its sculptor well those passions read which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things.” It seems as if Shelley is trying to imply that the more power one has, the easier one can lose it and be destroyed. However, most of the other descriptions in the poem contrast this grand mighty representation of Ozymandias by creating a solemn and dead yet mysterious atmosphere of the lost history of the once great empire that stood before as well as the irony of the situation of how he once had so much power but was now in shambles, with these strong words on the pedestal being meaningless now. In addition, the wording of the sentence with words like “Mighty”, “my Works” and “despair” almost makes Ozymandias seem like a god or a higher being. The portrayal of Ozymandias with the pedestal as mentioned in the poem creates a strong connotation of power and might. The sentence “My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings Look on my Works, ye Mighty and despair!” connotes the statue being a portrait of King Ozymandias, also known as the Egyptian King Ramesses II, who was famous for being a very powerful king who was even nicknamed “Great Ancestor”. This interpretation is further supported by the phrase “sneer of cold command” that creates a stronger image of Ozymandias’ personality through the alliteration “cold command” that makes a very sharp tone that is almost intimidating and scary.
The words “frown” and “wrinkled lip” describe the appearance of Ozymandias, as the author clearly chooses these critical words to show the reader that Ozymandias was a prideful, arrogant man.
He uses words such as “vast”, “trunkless” and “shattered visage” that create a visual image of the broken statue and its disassembled body parts, indirectly connoting the broken empire left behind in the desert and how things do not last forever. The author uses strong and specific vocabulary to paint a vivid image of the atmosphere to show the theme of temporary nature seen in the poem. Specifically, the use of literary devices and word choice in the poem suggests the theme of power and human nature’s inability to last forever. Shelley’s “Ozymandias” does use irony to explore the temporary nature of things.
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