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Chiasmus

Chiasmus (ki-az'-mus) is the repetition of two corresponding phrases arranged in a parallel inverse order. The second half is balanced against the first but with the parts reversed. “Fair is foul, and foul is fair” Macbeth 1.1.1.  Related to antimetabole, in which the two pairs suggest opposing or opposite meanings. Also similar to epanados, which also repeats the terms after presenting them.

Chiasmus is an example of:
Arrangement, Parallelism, Repetition

When shall we three meet again?

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First Witch
When shall we three meet again?
In thunder, lightning, or in rain?
Second Witch
When the hurly-burly’s done,
When the battle’s lost and won.Anaphora & Anapodoton

Fair is foul, and foul is fair

Third Witch
That will be ere the set of sun.
… continue reading this quote

Source:
Act 1
Scene 1
Line 1

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Angelo, There is a kind of character in thy life

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Duke
Angelo,
There is a kind of character in thy life,
That to th’ observer doth thy history
AlliterationFully unfoldHyperbaton
. Thyself and thy belongings
Are not thine own so properAnastrophe as to waste
Thyself upon thy virtues, they on thee.
… continue reading this quote

Good morrow, cousin

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Benvolio
Good morrow, cousin.
Romeo
Is the day so young?
Benvolio
But new struck nine.
Romeo
Ay me, sad hours seem long.
Was that my father that went hence so fast?
Benvolio
It was. What sadness lengthens Romeo’s hours?
Romeo
Not having that which,
… continue reading this quote

Source:
Act 1
Scene 1
Line 163

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Who’s that which calls?

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Lucio, within 
Ho, peace be in this place!
Isabella
Who’s that which calls?
Nun
It is a man’s voice. Gentle Isabella,
Turn you the key and know his business of him.
You may; I may not. You are yet unsworn.
When you have vowed, you must not speak with men
But in the presence of the Prioress.
… continue reading this quote

Must he needs die?

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Isabella, to Angelo
Must he needs die?
Angelo
  Maiden, no remedy.
Isabella
Yes, I do think that you might pardon him,
And neither heaven nor man grieve at the mercy.

Not the king’s crown, nor the deputed sword,
The marshal’s truncheon, nor the judge’s robe
Become them with one half so good a grace
As mercy does.
… continue reading this quote

Source:
Act 2
Scene 2
Line 65

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When I would pray and think, I think and pray

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Angelo
When I would pray and think, I think and prayChiasmus
To several subjects. Heaven hath my empty words,Transferred Epithet
Whilst my invention, hearing not my tongue,Synecdoche
Anchors on Isabel.Metaphor

Blood, thou art blood.
Let’s write “good angel” on the devil’s horn

God in my mouth,
… continue reading this quote

Source:
Act 2
Scene 4
Line 1

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Most high, most mighty, and most puissant Caesar

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Metellus, kneeling
Most high, most mighty, and most puissant Caesar,Anaphora
Metellus Cimber throws before thy seat
An humble heart.Synecdoche
Caesar
I must prevent thee, Cimber.
These couchings and these lowly courtesies
Might fire the blood of ordinary menSynecdoche
And turn preordinance and first decree
Into the law of children.
… continue reading this quote

The hand that hath made you fair hath made you good

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Duke, as Friar, to Isabella
The hand that hath made you fair hath made you good.
The goodness that is cheap in beauty makes beauty brief
in goodness,Chiasmus
but grace, being the soul of your complexion,
shall keep the body of it ever fair. The assault that Angelo
hath made to you,
… continue reading this quote

Sir, I was an inward of his

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Lucio
Sir, I was an inward of his. A shy fellow was the
Duke, and I believe I know the cause of his
withdrawing.
Duke, as Friar
What, I prithee, might be the cause?
Lucio
No, pardon. ’Tis a secret must be locked within
the teeth and the lips.

… continue reading this quote

Good even, good father

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Escalus
Good even, good father.
Duke, as Friar
Bliss and goodness on you.
Escalus
Of whence are you?
Duke, as Friar
Not of this country, though my chance is now
To use it for my time. I am a brother
Of gracious order,
… continue reading this quote

Source:
Act 3
Scene 2
Line 215

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