Irony here in this poem is that...the Written in the Pedestal of the statue which says, He was the greatest of all, most powerful and so on. But all these turned out be an ironic since his Statue was in Piteous condition ( got shattered) Moral÷With the passage of time everything get destroy and people gradually forgets.So one must not be proud of his/her achievements, wealth, greatness ,etc.

Irony in the Poem "Ozymandias"

Introduction:
The poem "Ozymandias" by Percy Bysshe Shelley is a sonnet that explores the theme of the fleeting nature of human power and the inevitable downfall of even the mightiest rulers. The poem is filled with irony, which adds depth and complexity to its message.

1. Contextual Irony:
The poem begins by introducing a traveler who describes a ruined statue in the middle of a vast desert. The statue is of Ozymandias, a once powerful pharaoh who believed his rule would be eternal. The irony lies in the fact that the statue, meant to be a symbol of Ozymandias' greatness, now lies broken and forgotten in the desert, far from civilization. This contrast between the past grandeur and the present decay highlights the transience of human achievements.

2. Verbal Irony:
Throughout the poem, there are instances of verbal irony that emphasize the discrepancy between Ozymandias' grand claims and the reality of his legacy. For example, the inscription on the statue's pedestal proudly declares, "My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings; Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!" However, the irony lies in the fact that there is nothing left of Ozymandias' kingdom or his works, rendering his command to "despair" utterly futile.

3. Situational Irony:
The poem's situational irony lies in the contrast between Ozymandias' expectation of eternal fame and the reality of his forgotten existence. Despite his belief that his name would inspire awe and fear for generations, his empire has crumbled, and his memory has faded into obscurity. This irony serves as a reminder of the impermanence of power and the insignificance of even the greatest rulers in the face of time.

4. Dramatic Irony:
Another layer of irony in the poem is the dramatic irony created by the traveler's narration. As the traveler recounts his encounter with the ruined statue, the readers become aware of the irony before the traveler does. While the traveler initially sees the statue as evidence of Ozymandias' power, the readers are already aware of the statue's true meaning - a symbol of the inevitable decline of human achievements.

Conclusion:
The poem "Ozymandias" masterfully employs various forms of irony to convey its central theme. Through contextual irony, verbal irony, situational irony, and dramatic irony, Shelley highlights the vanity and futility of human endeavors in the face of time. The poem serves as a timeless reminder that even the most powerful rulers and civilizations are ultimately destined to be forgotten.