Introduction
Poems are among the most valuable pieces that share bits of wisdom and grab readers’ attention by focusing on the acute issues debated for centuries. One such work is “Ozymandias,” a Petrarchan sonnet written by Percy Bysshe Shelley in 1818. It consists of fourteen lines, structured in an octet, eight lines, followed by a sestet, six lines. This contemplative piece, composed by Shelley, explores themes such as the impermanence of power and the inevitable decline of human accomplishments. With the focus on a statue in a desert dedicated to an Egyptian pharaoh, the author employs poetic devices to convey the message of the destructive force of time that corrodes human endeavors and alters the world order.
Poem Elements
After closely examining the sonnet, the reader can see every element of the work with its central figure. From the outset, the author recounts a traveler’s memory of encountering a statue in the desert that was initially constructed to honor an Egyptian king named Ozymandias. The poet highlights that this “shattered visage” has already sunk into sand due to the imminent forces of time (Shelley line 4). Through his lines, the author accentuates the contrast between the former grandeur of the statue, which served as a reminder of the pharaoh’s power, and its current state of shattered fragments. Ultimately, such elements and their depiction reveal how human achievements are ultimately eroded.
Imagery
When discussing the poem’s devices, the first one that grabs readers’ attention is imagery. To enable readers to understand the message of the piece and immerse themselves in this environment, vivid depictions of the desert and the statue are employed. For example, in the beginning, Shelley highlights the “vast and trunkless legs of stone” of the statue, which represent the decay of the grand monument (Shelley, line 2). Toward the end, the author depicts “lone and level sands,” allowing the readers to comprehend a sense of desolation (Shelley line 14). As a result, the imagery brings the piece to life by illustrating the statue’s struggles over time.
Allusion
Moreover, allusion is another device that allows the author to draw a parallel between the monument and a pharaoh, covertly conveying the message. While the first part of the sonnet is dedicated to the statue that is decaying and is forgotten, the second part of the piece recalls Ozymandias, “King of Kings” (Shelley line 10). This is not a coincidence that the pharaoh is mentioned, as by doing so, the poet alludes to the similarity between the fate of the statue and that of the king. Indeed, with time, great empires fall, and emperors become forgotten.
Diction
Furthermore, the author’s choice of diction intensifies the effectiveness of the poem, making it more sophisticated and memorable. When using such a device, Shelley strives to be mindful of the choice of words. For instance, when discussing “trunkless legs of stone,” readers can specifically see the crumbling statue that bears its appearance (Shelley, line 2). Moreover, when describing the consequences of time and the monument, Shelley uses words such as “colossal” and “wrinkled lip,” which add a sense of grandeur and significance to the piece (Shelley, line 13). Therefore, as a complementary device in the sonnet, diction highlights the power of words.
Symbolism
Ultimately, symbolism completes the image created by the author, who strives to emphasize the power of time. The depiction of the falling monument symbolizes the corrosive nature of time and how, despite all possible efforts, even the grandest human achievements will one day become forgotten. In other words, the statue is a symbol of the ephemeral nature of power that cannot be held forever. As the poet accentuates, around the monument that was once appreciated and admired, there is now “nothing beside remains” (Shelley line 12). Thus, Shelley successfully demonstrated that even the greatest laws of the world are ultimately insignificant due to the relentless power of time.
Conclusion
In summary, using a desert statue honoring an Egyptian pharaoh as the focal point, the author employs poetic methods to highlight the destructive power of time that undermines human endeavors and upends global order. The reader can perceive each section of the sonnet, together with its central figure, after thoroughly scrutinizing the work. The story opens with the author emphasizing a traveler’s memory of seeing a statue in a desert that was initially erected in honor of an Egyptian pharaoh named Ozymandias.
When it comes to the poem’s devices, imagery is the first that draws readers in. Additionally, the author might subtly convey the idea by drawing a comparison between a pharaoh and a monument through the use of allusion. Additionally, the author’s use of dictionary devices heightens the poem’s impact and gives it a more complex, lasting quality. Finally, symbolism brings the author’s image, which highlights the power of time, to a close.
Work Cited
Shelley, Percy Bysshe. “Ozymandias.” Poetry Foundation, 1818.