LITERATURE II: POINT ONE IN AN ESSAY ABOUT SHELLEY’S “OZYMANDIAS”

Percy Shelley’s use of diction reinforces his theme of how time ultimately destroys man’s vanity. For instance, in three instances he uses words whose double meanings aim to undercut the arrogance of Ozymandias. Beginning in line five, he describes the “visage” of Ozymandias on the desert floor as having a “wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command.” The word “command” is an interesting choice since normally the word might suggest the power someone of importance has. We might, for instance, say, “He commands our attention.” In the case of Ozymandias, though, Shelley describes his command as “cold,” a word that evokes a lack of influence as well as a suggestion of death. Also, the word “remains” in line twelve works against the arrogance of Ozymandias. After Shelley reports the self-important inscription Ozymandias has carved on the pedestal of his monument to himself, line twelve states, “Nothing beside remains.” Not only does the line show up the absurdity of Ozymandias’ claim of domination, but also it subtly suggests his own death, his “remains.” Finally, in line thirteen, Shelley uses the word “colossal” in order to describe the “Wreck” of Ozymandias’ monument. On one hand, the word suggests exceptional size or astonishing effect, the very kind that Ozymandias has obviously imagined his empire and monument to be. In this instance, though, the word causes us to see not how large his empire or monument has been but how “colossal” his folly has been. “Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!” the monument’s inscription brags, though language itself has the last word, commanding our full attention regarding man’s colossal folly of arrogance in the face of what ultimately remains, “the lone and level sands” that forget man’s accomplishments.