Examples Of Oxymorons In Romeo And Juliet

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Oxymorons, paradoxes, and juxtapositions are literary devices used by authors to add complexity to their works. For the majority of the time these literary devices are used for indirectly characterizing the author’s characters. This is because oxymorons, paradoxes, and juxtapositions display the character’s feelings towards a subject and/or the character's personality, and emotions. William Shakespeare was known for using these literary devices. This is especially true in Romeo and Juliet. Shakespeare adds complexity to Romeo and Juliet by using Paradoxes and oxymorons to indirectly characterize Juliet, Friar Laurence, and Romeo. Juliet is indirectly characterized by Shakespeare using a paradox and an oxymoron. Juliet states, “I have bought the mansion of love but not possessed it” (3.2.1-31). The paradox is showing how she and Romeo are in a relationship (the mansion) but she hasn’t spent time with him (possession), and how she longs for him. Here, Juliet is making statements about Romeo: “A damned saint, an honorable villain” (3.2.73-85). The statements made are oxymorons, and are showing how she sees Romeo as a beautiful person on the …show more content…
A characteristic is added to Friar Laurence’s personality when he states, “these violent delights have violent ends” (2.6.9-15). Friar’s quote is conveying how he disapproves of how fast Romeo and Juliet’s relationship is going, and how he suspects it will not end well. Friar Laurence comments on Romeo’s relationship with Juliet: “Too swift arrives as Tardy as too slow” (2.6.9-15). This oxymoron is demonstrating Friar’s philosophy that things that go too fast will end just as bad as things that go to slow, in this case Romeo and Juliet’s relationship. Friar Laurence can be indirectly characterized by his concern and worry for Romeo ,Juliet, and the well being of their relationship, which leads to the characterization of
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