DefinePK

Research Objective

To evaluate the theme of impermanence and the limits of human ambition in Percy Bysshe Shelley's 'Ozymandias' through the use of irony, imagery, and symbolism, and to investigate the use of figurative language in the poem to challenge the idea of authoritarian power.

Methodology

The study employs a formal analysis approach, focusing on the intrinsic elements of the text, including language, structure, and stylistic devices. It uses a qualitative research design centered on textual analysis, examining the poem's language, structure, and symbols. The population is limited to Percy Bysshe Shelley's sonnet 'Ozymandias', and the instrument is the text itself, analyzed through close reading to identify and interpret irony, imagery, symbolism, and structure.

Methodology Flowchart

                        graph TD;
    A["Start: Identify Poem 'Ozymandias'"] --> B["Apply Formal Analysis Framework"];
    B --> C["Examine Literary Devices"];
    C --> C1["Analyze Irony"];
    C --> C2["Analyze Imagery"];
    C --> C3["Analyze Symbolism"];
    C --> C4["Analyze Structure"];
    C1 & C2 & C3 & C4 --> D["Interpret Thematic Development"];
    D --> E["Evaluate Critique of Authoritarian Power"];
    E --> F["Assess Themes of Impermanence and Ambition"];
    F --> G["Synthesize Findings"];
    G --> H["Formulate Conclusion"];
    H --> I["End"];                    

Discussion

The paper argues that Shelley's formal analysis of 'Ozymandias' reveals how literary devices underscore the transient nature of power and the limitations of human ambition. The poem critiques authoritarianism by contrasting the ruler's boastful inscription with the surrounding ruin, emphasizing nature's and time's ultimate dominance. The study also explores the role of art in preserving human experience, suggesting that while empires fall, artistic representations can endure.

Key Findings

Shelley uses irony, imagery, and symbolism to critique the arrogance of rulers and the impermanence of power. The fragmented statue and desolate landscape serve as potent symbols of decay and the futility of human ambition. The inscription on the pedestal, intended to inspire awe, ironically highlights the ruler's fallen state. The sculptor's depiction of Ozymandias's "sneer of cold command" endures, suggesting art's potential for a lasting legacy beyond political power.

Conclusion

Percy Bysshe Shelley's 'Ozymandias' serves as a timeless critique of hubris and the illusion of eternal dominance. Through irony, imagery, and symbolism, the poem effectively communicates the impermanence of power and legacy, demonstrating that human creations are ultimately subject to the unyielding forces of nature and history. The poem highlights the futility of aspiring for immortality through monuments or assertions of dominance, offering a profound reflection on the fleeting nature of human accomplishments.

Fact Check

1. Publication Year of 'Ozymandias': The text states the poem was composed in 1817 and published in 1818. This is historically accurate.
2. Ozymandias as Ramesses II: The text identifies Ozymandias as the Greek name for Ramesses II. This is a widely accepted historical identification.
3. Poem Structure: The text refers to 'Ozymandias' as a sonnet. The poem is indeed a sonnet, typically structured as a Petrarchan sonnet.

Mind Map