What are some oxymorons in Romeo and Juliet Act 1?
In Romeo’s speech in the very first scene, he refers to “brawling love,” which is an oxymoron as fighting and loving are opposite actions. Other oxymorons in this speech include “heavy lightness” and “loving hate.”
Why does Romeo use oxymorons Act 1?
Romeo and Juliet both use opposing terms, oxymorons, to explain their conflicting feelings regarding life, death, love and hate. Romeo uses oxymoron to reconcile his unrequited love and the drama his family faces with the Capulets.
What are three oxymorons that Juliet uses to refer to Romeo?
In reaction, Juliet speaks, using several oxymorons:
- “wolfish-ravening lamb”
- “Despised substance of divinest show”
- “A damned saint”
- “an honourable villain”
What are two oxymorons Juliet uses to describe Romeo?
Her oxymorons reveal much of her initial attraction to Romeo: she perceives him as outwardly beautiful and pure. She calls him “dove feathered,” a “saint,” “sweet flesh,” and “a gorgeous palace” in outward appearance.
How many oxymorons are there in Romeo and Juliet?
There are dozens of oxymorons in William Shakespeare’s tragedy Romeo and Juliet. An oxymoron is a rhetorical device that combines two words that appear contradictory. In his plays, William Shakespeare frequently employs oxymorons to reveal conflicting or complex emotions in his characters.
Why did Shakespeare use the oxymoron O brawling Love, O loving hate?
Why then, O brawling love, O loving hate . . . Shakespeare’s use of oxymoron here reveals the raging infatuation Romeo feels for his crush. The strength of Romeo’s infatuation is emphasized by pairing hate, one of the strongest negative emotions, with the positive emotion of love.
Who are the oxymorons used in Act 3?
In Act III, some of the characters most notable for the use of the oxymoron are the Prince, Juliet and Friar Laurence. Romeo and the Nurse also have dialogue that employs the technique of the oxymoron. Examining some of these will reveal the emotion evinced and the meaning revealed by the oxymoron spoken.
When does Romeo use back to back oxymorons?
Later, when Romeo is rejected by Rosalind, he again uses several back to back oxymorons to express his tortured emotional state. Still-waking sleep that is not what it is! One final example of oxymoron is uttered by Juliet in Act III when she learns that Romeo has killed her cousin Tybalt.