Question

What are examples of an oxymoron in Romeo and Juliet?

Answer 1

Hint: Contradictions in literature can aid a reader's comprehension of complicated emotional scenes. An oxymoron is a figure of speech that consists of a pair of seemingly contradictory words that function together to form articulate phrases.

Complete answer:
The oxymoron is a figure of speech where two opposing words or thoughts are purposefully combined to create a point—often to expose a greater or secret reality. To prove an argument, an oxymoron joins two opposing thoughts.

In his works, Shakespeare has used a lot of oxymorons. The following are some examples of oxymoron used in 'Romeo and Juliet' (the oxymorons are highlighted in bold);
(i) Romeo tells Benvolio, his cousin, about his love for Rosaline, who has no feelings for him, in the following lines (from Act one, Scene one):
“Yet tell me …
….
… brawling love, O loving hate
…
 O heavy lightness….
….
…, cold fire, sick health,”
There are several oxymorons in this expression. Since nothing can be both light and heavy at the same time, these two terms that form the expression “heavy lightness” are polar opposites and so they form an oxymoron. Then the representation of ‘fire’ as ‘cold’, ‘health’ as ‘sick’ are also oxymorons. Using “brawling love” and “loving hate” is again another oxymoron.

(ii) In act three, scene two;
“O serpent heart hid ….
…..
Beautiful tyrant! …
Dove feathered raven! wolfish-ravening lamb!”

In the piece ‘Romeo and Juliet’, there is a situation where someone dear to Juliet was brutally killed by Juliet’s love interest Romeo. So Juliet's psychological conflict is illustrated by the oxymorons in the above-given lines. She adores Romeo, but she is enraged and shocked that he murdered someone she cared for. She is still perplexed by the fight's background, so her response is influenced by her frustration. ‘Beautiful tyrant’ she calls his cruel and beautiful at the same time, ‘Dove-feather’d raven’ she says because he came like a peaceful dove but ended up to be an ill-mannered or rude raven (a bird that is considered to be evil).

Note: The words "paradox", "contradiction of terms" and "antonym" are often mistaken with oxymoron. The term "oxymoron" is actually an oxymoron in itself. It is derived from a Greek combination of words that form the meanings which together implies keen and dull or sharp and stupid.