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Summary: In Romeo and Juliet, oxymorons are used by both Romeo and Juliet to express internal conflicts and the paradoxical nature of love and life. In Act 1, Scene 1, Romeo uses oxymorons like ...
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(I. i. 179-181) This quote is spoken by Romeo after Benvolio advises him to forego his infatuation with Rosaline. Unable to overcome his obsession with Rosaline, Romeo has an emotional outburst, and he uses the oxymoron – “loving hate” to express his inner turmoil. Loving hate is a contradictory term that signifies that love and hate can exist simu...
(I. i. 185-186) The above verse is replete with several oxymorons that highlight the heaviness that descends on Romeo after Rosaline refuses to respond to his love. The conflicting term, “feather of lead”, is outlined as an attribute of love and implies that although the initial phase of love is like a breeze that feels as light as a feather. The a...
(II. ii. 199-200) Juliet delivers the above-mentioned endearing verse to bid farewell to Romeo during the pivotal balcony scene. In this verse, the oxymoronic phrase, “sweet sorrow” signifies that temporary estrangement from one’s lover simultaneously yields unsettling sorrow and a sweet sense of hopefulness. Hence, for Juliet, the anticipation of ...
(III. i. 207) The above statement is an example of an oxymoronic sentence delivered by the Prince of Verona as he penalizes Romeo for killing Tybalt. After realizing that the killing is an accidental occurrence, the Prince orders Romeo to be exiled. However, the contradiction in this particular punishment becomes evident from the fact that while ex...
(III. ii. 79-81) These emphatic verses feature a series of oxymorons spoken by Juliet after she discovers that Romeo has murdered Tybalt. Riddled with intense disbelief and shock, Juliet refers to Romeo as a “beautiful tyrant” and “fiend angelical.” These paradoxical phrases highlight that there is a stark discrepancy between Romeo’s seemingly harm...
(III. ii. 88) After learning about Tybalt’s murder, Juliet wavers between belief and disbelief and refers to Romeo as a “damned saint” and “honorable villain.” These oxymoronic phrases highlight the inner conflictplaguing Juliet in relation to Romeo’s essential goodness. Unable to categorize Romeo as being entirely villainous or saint-like, Juliet ...
(III. ii. 89-91) While trying to assimilate the shock of Romeo’s brutal killing of Tybalt, Juliet ponders on Romeo’s action and uses the above oxymoronic sentence to reinforce the contrastbetween Romeo’s trustworthy, amicable exterior and the rash impulsive aspect of his personality. Juliet equates Romeo with a “fairly bound” book comprised of “vil...
(III. iii. 93) This statement is delivered by the nurse after Friar Lawrence informs her that Romeo incessantly cries after being estranged from Juliet. The oxymoron “woeful sympathy” highlights the pitiful predicament experienced by both Juliet and Romeo due to their separation from each other. Although sympathy essentially implies compassion and ...
(III. iii. 160) This particular oxymoronic verse is expressed by Friar Lawrence while he is counseling Romeo. The Friar uses the phrase, “wedded to calamity” to highlight the misfortune and catastrophes that seem to haunt Romeo wherever he goes relentlessly. In this oxymoronic phrase, the contrast arises from the juxtapositionof “wedded” – connotin...
(IV. iii. 17) This quintessential statement is delivered by Juliet before drinking the sleeping potion. The oxymoronic phrase, freezing up the heat of life, highlights the fear lurking in Juliet’s heart pertaining to the aftereffect of drinking the potion. This graphic contrast of chilling fear and Juliet’s warm blood effectively conveys the overwh...
Jan 8, 2021 · William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet is full of contradictions and conflicted feelings. He uses oxymorons to underscore these opposing forces. Dictionary
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Feb 2, 2024 · These oxymorons highlight the chaos of young love and the paradoxical nature of human experience. The use of oxymorons also deepens our understanding of the characters. Juliet’s phrase “sweet sorrow” encapsulates her complex feelings as she bids farewell to Romeo; it is both a painful parting and a tender moment filled with the promise of ...
In Act 2, Scene 6, as Friar Laurence prepares to marry Romeo and Juliet, he unknowingly foreshadows their future deaths and uses oxymorons to characterize their passion for each other: These violent delights have violent ends. And in their triumph die, like fire and powder, Which, as they kiss, consume. The sweetest honey.
Nov 21, 2023 · Oftentimes, Shakespeare uses oxymorons in to convey these strong feelings. An oxymoron is a literary device in which two contradictory terms are used together in the same sentence or phrase. It is ...
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The point is that these oxymora and paradoxes work with the major paradox at the center of the play, expressed in Juliet's cry, "My only love sprung from my only hate" (1.5.152). By using oxymora and paradox through the play, Shakespeare manages to make the form (how it's being said) match up with the content (what's being said).
