Exploring Impermanence and Arrogance through Formal Analysis: A Study of ‘Ozymandias’

Abstract

This paper presents a formal analysis of Percy Bysshe Shelley's “Ozymandias” concentrating on the themes of impermanence and the constraints of human ambition, examined through the use of irony, imagery, and symbolism. The analysis begins by exploring the fragmented statue, symbolizing the unavoidable decline of human creations and the inability of even the most formidable rulers to leave a lasting legacy. Through the imagery of the “colossal wreck” and the “lone and level sands,” Shelley emphasizes the transience of human power, depicting the remnants of Ozymandias's empire as a metaphor for the ephemeral nature of political authority. The poem’s inscription, stating, “Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!” is interpreted as an ironic commentary on the futility of Ozymandias's boast, as it contrasts sharply with the barren and decayed remains of his once-mighty kingdom. Shelley's use of symbolism in the shattered visage of Ozymandias critiques the arrogance of authoritarian power, implying that even the most tyrannical rulers are ultimately subject to the forces of time and nature. The paper examines how the poem's formal elements—its structure, language, and imagery—strengthen its central theme: the transient nature of power and the constraints of human ambition. By conducting a thorough analysis of these literary devices, this study provides a deeper insight into how Ozymandias serves as a timeless commentary on the fallibility of political rulers and the inevitability of decline.