The words on the pedestal of Ozymandias's statue in Percy Bysshe Shelley's poem "Ozymandias" are ironic because they declare the statue's mighty and eternal empire, yet the statue lies broken and decayed in a desolate wasteland. The inscription reads, "My name is Ozymandias, king of kings: / Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!" However, the surrounding environment reflects a sense of despair and abandonment, contradicting the boastful claims of the statue. This irony highlights the fleeting nature of power and the inevitable decline of empires despite their once great accomplishments. The grandiose words that were meant to inspire awe instead serve as a reminder of the insignificance and transience of human achievements.
