How Does Shakespeare Use Paradoxes In Romeo And Juliet

In literature, literary devices are used to reveal certain character traits. Literary devices like juxtaposition, oxymorons, and paradoxes help display the character's disposition. In Shakespeare’s romantic tragedy, Romeo and Juliet, the playwright utilizes literary devices through the speeches of the personas. Shakespeare incorporates juxtaposition, oxymorons, and paradoxes to indirectly reveal the personality traits of Romeo, Juliet, and Friar Lawrence.
Shakespeare uses juxtaposition and oxymorons to reveal that Romeo is a hopeless romantic and a dreamer. Romeo states, “Feather of lead, bright smoke, cold fire, sick health!” (1.1.173). The oxymorons in this excerpt are: feather lead, bright smoke, cold fire, and sick health. Those are oxymorons because the words have opposite meaning, yet when they are put together they make sense to describe Romeo’s feelings about love. Romeo is a hopeless romantic since he uses oxymorons to express his frustration about his complicated relationship with Juliet. In the Queen Mab speech, Shakespeare utilizes juxtaposition to contrast how Romeo …show more content…
Friar Lawrence announces, “the violent delights have violent ends,” (2.6.9). The oxymoron in that passage is ‘violent delights,’ since these words have opposite meanings. From this passage, the reader can infer that the Friar is wise since he predicts that Romeo and Juliet’s relationship wouldn’t last. Friar Lawrence mentions that “In man well as herbs- grace and rude will!” (2.3.28). This quote is a paradox because “grace and rude will” are contradictory terms that make sense in this sentence. “Grace and rude will” mean good and evil. Friar is indicating that both men and plants can have both of those traits. This excerpt reveals that the Friar is smart because he has knowledge of plants. By using oxymorons and paradoxes, Shakespeare is able to use indirect characterization of Friar