One could presume that the quote, “Parting is such sweet sorrow” (2.2.184), from Romeo and Juliet, is one of the most well-known oxymorons in the world of literature, and is familiar to those who have read and understood the play. The playwright William Shakespeare expertly uses oxymorons and paradoxes in his plays, which helps to emphasize many of the literary elements present. Throughout Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare frequently uses paradoxes and oxymorons to effectively portray the adverse feelings that accompany the characters when they are in love. As a result, this demonstrates the forcefulness of love, foreshadowing, and the conflicting thoughts and emotions the characters feel when in love.
Firstly, the usage of paradoxes and oxymorons …show more content…
Despite being infatuated with one another Romeo and Juliet harbor a burdensome relationship as they ironically descend from the two feuding families in Verona. For example, during the young lovers’ first acquaintance, the Nurse warns Juliet that Romeo is a Montague, causing the young Capulet to cry, “My only love sprung from my only hate! / Too early seen unknown, and known too late!” (Shakespeare 1.5.138-139) Juliet’s paradox and diction clearly display to the audience her dismay in Romeo being a Montague, with the contrasting words ‘love’ and ‘hate’ emphasizing her intense turmoil. With this in mind, she and Romeo still marry, which consequently results in the death of Tybalt at the hands of her husband, who subsequently is banned from Verona. She experiences a grief as never before and passionately laments, “Beautiful tyrant, fiend angelical! / Dove-feathered raven, wolvish-ravening lamb!” (Shakespeare 3.2.76-77) In her impassioned sonnet, Juliet refers to Romeo as both a ‘fiend angelical’ and a ‘wolvish-ravening lamb’,; iIn other words,, she is torn between the impacts of his actions on her family against the acknowledgment that her husband had been well-intentioned initially. Though forced to confront her feelings of betrayal by Romeo, Juliet remains tortured by her inability to make a final judgement regarding the man she should hate, but continues to love. Overall, Juliet’s rapid succession of oxymorons conveys that characters must face contrary emotions and thoughts when in
Firstly, the usage of paradoxes and oxymorons …show more content…
Despite being infatuated with one another Romeo and Juliet harbor a burdensome relationship as they ironically descend from the two feuding families in Verona. For example, during the young lovers’ first acquaintance, the Nurse warns Juliet that Romeo is a Montague, causing the young Capulet to cry, “My only love sprung from my only hate! / Too early seen unknown, and known too late!” (Shakespeare 1.5.138-139) Juliet’s paradox and diction clearly display to the audience her dismay in Romeo being a Montague, with the contrasting words ‘love’ and ‘hate’ emphasizing her intense turmoil. With this in mind, she and Romeo still marry, which consequently results in the death of Tybalt at the hands of her husband, who subsequently is banned from Verona. She experiences a grief as never before and passionately laments, “Beautiful tyrant, fiend angelical! / Dove-feathered raven, wolvish-ravening lamb!” (Shakespeare 3.2.76-77) In her impassioned sonnet, Juliet refers to Romeo as both a ‘fiend angelical’ and a ‘wolvish-ravening lamb’,; iIn other words,, she is torn between the impacts of his actions on her family against the acknowledgment that her husband had been well-intentioned initially. Though forced to confront her feelings of betrayal by Romeo, Juliet remains tortured by her inability to make a final judgement regarding the man she should hate, but continues to love. Overall, Juliet’s rapid succession of oxymorons conveys that characters must face contrary emotions and thoughts when in