Oxymoron
Oxymorons (ox-y-mo'-ron) are incongruous or contradictory terms appearing side by side. “O cruel, irreligious piety!” Titus Andronicus, 1.1.113.
Notes on Oxymoron
Quotes including the Figure of Speech Oxymoron
Two households, both alike in dignity
Read the SonnetTwo households, both alike in dignity,
In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,
From ancient grudgeParenthesis break to new mutiny,
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.Antanaclesis & Synecdoche
From forth the fatal loins of these two foesAlliteration, Oxymoron & Synecdoche
A pair of star-cross’d lovers take their life;
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Noble patricians, patrons of my right, Defend the justice of my cause with arms
Read the Quote Saturninus and his followers at one door, and
Bassianus and his followers at another door, with
other Romans, Drums, and Trumpets.
Saturninus
Noble patricians, patrons of my right,
Defend the justice of my cause with arms.
And countrymen, my loving followers,
Plead my successive title with your swords.
I am his firstborn son that was the last
That wore the imperial diadem of Rome.
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Say not “treasonous.”
Read the QuoteNorfolk
Say not “treasonous.”
Buckingham
To th’ King I’ll say ’t, and make my vouch as strong
As shore of rock.Hyperbaton & Simile
This holy fox,
Or wolf, or both—for he is equal rav’nous
As he is subtle, and as prone to mischief
As able to perform ’t
If I profane with my unworthiest hand
Read the SonnetRomeo
If I profane with my unworthiest hand
This holy shrineMetaphor, the gentle sinOxymoron is this,
My lips, two blushing pilgrimsMetaphor, ready stand
To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss.
My lips, two blushing pilgrimsMetaphor,
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All good people, You that thus far have come to pity me
Read the QuoteBuckingham
All good people,
You that thus far have come to pity me,
Hear what I say, and then go home and lose me.
Go with me like good angels to my end,
And as the long divorce of steel falls on me,
Make of your prayers one sweet sacrifice
I have this day received a traitor’s judgment,
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The forest walks are wide and spacious
Read the QuoteThe forest walks are wide and spacious,
And many unfrequented plots there are,Hyperbaton
Fitted by kind for rape and villainy.
Single you thither then this dainty doe,Alliteration & Metaphor
And strike her home by force, if not by words.
The Emperor’s court is like the house of Fame,
The palace full of tongues,
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Not for that neither. Here’s the pang that pinches
Read the QuoteAnne
Not for that neither.Anapodoton Here’s the pang that pinches:
His Highness having lived so long with herAlliteration, and she
So good a lady that no tongue could ever
Pronounce dishonor of her—Parenthesesby my life,
She never knew harm-doing!—O, now,
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Now, Ursula, when Beatrice doth come
Read the SonnetHero
Now, Ursula, when Beatrice doth come,
As we do trace this alley up and down,
Our talk must only be of Benedick.
When I do name him, let it be thy part
To praise him more than ever man did merit.
What fire is in mine ears?
My talk to thee must be how Benedick
Is sick in love with Beatrice.
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O serpent heart, hid with a flow’ring face!
Read the QuoteO serpent heart, hid with a flow’ring face!Paradox
Did ever dragon keep so fair a cave?Metaphor
Beautiful tyrant!Oxymoron Fiend angelical!Oxymoron
Dove-feather’d raven!Oxymoron Wolvish ravening lamb!Oxymoron
Was ever book containing such vile matter
So fairly bound?
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