It's common to confuse a paradox with an oxymoron. Analysis: The literary device of oxymoron is used in literature by combining two contradictory terms or ideas, creating humor and further meaning. The Bible. The phrase original copy is a good illustration of an oxymoron. “Bitter” and “sweet” are contradictory. In the opening act of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare writes lines for Romeo overflowing with oxymoron. Content. Time is beyond our control, and the clock keeps ticking regardless of how we lead our lives. O loving hate! How to use oxymoron in a sentence. However, while that source may contain an example of an oxymoron, it says nothing to support your theories about oxymorons. Common examples of oxymoron are: … Thus idly busy rolls their world away. What Is an Oxymoron? A-Metaphor. (Byron ) It was a pleasing fear. In order to accurately express the dizzying inner conflict, Shakespeare uses a series of oxymorons in order to show how confused and hurt Romeo is feeling: Oxymorons are extremely useful in written English because they can make effective titles, add dramatic effect, add flavor to speech, and can sometimes be used to achieve a comedic effect. John C. Maxwell. An oxymoron is a literary figure that consists of the coexistence in the same expression of two semantically opposite terms, thus creating an absurd, counterintuitive sense, or sometimes contrary to logic, that stands out aesthetically. An oxymoron presents two seemingly contrasting terms together. (Byron) So loathed the bright dishonour of his love. The word 'Oxymoron' is originally derived from the Greek elements: oxy = sharp and moros (moron) = dull (foolish). Oxymoron: Definition and Examples of Oxymoron in Speech and Literature • 7ESL. In literature, paradoxes can elicit humor, illustrate themes, and provoke readers to … Here's the difference between the two: A paradox is a statement or group of sentences that contradict what we know while delivering an inherent truth. Oxymorons are often used in everyday conversation and in a breadth of writing, such as literature, poetry, and songwriting. Here is a comprehensive list of 64 examples of oxymorons in sentences. List of literary devices Allegory. Examples of an Oxymoron Some common examples are the phrases ‘sweet sorrow,’ ‘cold fire’, and ‘silent scream’. An oxymoron is a literary device which allows the author to use contradictory, contrasting concepts placed together in a manner that actually ends up making sense in a strange, and slightly complex manner. In the poem, Lancelot is tempted by another woman, but he remains "true" to Guinevere. This self-referential statement is an example of a paradox—a contradiction that questions logic. "Fair is foul, and foul is fair", "Parting is such sweet sorrow", "O brawling love! Please review the definition and examples before you complete the Oxymoron quiz. It is clear that oxymoron is a powerful literary device used to add drama and appeal to speech and writing. A-Literateur. Literary Examples of Oxymora. "Parting is such sweet sorrow." Upon realizing his love is for an unavailable woman, Romeo releases a slur of oxymora including: “loving hate,” “heavy lightness,” “serious vanity,” and “bright smoke.”. Oxymora in Literature. Here are some examples of oxymoron that may be found in everyday writing or conversation:My sister and I had a friendly fight over the lipstick.I think the professor stated his unbiased opinion regarding the student response.You look awfully pretty in that coat.Sarah ate the whole piece of pie.The carpenters left the bench completely unfinished.The new kittens enjoyed being Alone together.True fiction is my favorite genre to read.More items... Oxymorons are similar to such other devices as paradox and antithesis and are often used in poetry and other literature. Feather of lead, bright smoke, cold fire, sick health! They add flavour to speech and can also be cynical, sarcastic, or witty and used for comic effect or relief. The word oxymoron was derived from the Greek word “oxys” meaning sharp and “moros” meaning dull. Oxymorons appear in a variety of contexts, including inadvertent errors such as extremely average and literary oxymoron s crafted to reveal a paradox. (Pope ) Whose dread command is lawless law. intensify the emotions felt by the characters or the reader. 3. What you have contributed is an essay about oxymorons. 768. Definition, Usage, and Literary Examples 1. How do you use oxymoron in a sentence? Two siblings in a story are opposites, one is always good and one is always evil. An allegory is a type of narrative that uses characters and plot to depict abstract ideas and themes.In an allegorical story, things represent more than they appear to on the surface. Each pair of words has opposing definitions, but they are being used side by side. An oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines two words possessing contradictory meanings to create a startling effect. Oxymoron - Examples and Definition of Oxymoron. Shakespeare used the oxymoron quite often to express mixed emotions both in his plays and his sonnets. One of the most famous examples of the use of oxymorons is the following speech Significance of Oxymoron in Literature. This literary device combines words with contradictory definitions to coin a new word or phrase. O heavy lightness, serious vanity, Edgar Allan Poe's The Raven is filled with many literary devices; oxymoron being one device used. The term " oxymoron " comes from Greek, where "oxy" means "sharp or acute," and "moros" means "dumb or foolish." Oxymoron is a figure of speechpairing two words together that are opposing and/or contradictory. One oxymoron example is “deafening silence,” which describes a silence that is so overpowering it almost feels deafening, or extremely loud—just as an actual sound would. It's common to confuse a paradox with an oxymoron. Here in the above lines, the highlighted words are example of a cliché. The phrase jumbo shrimp is a great example of an oxymoron. One oxymoron example is “deafening silence,” which describes a silence that is so overpowering it almost feels deafening, or extremely loud—just as an actual sound would. Significance of Oxymoron in Literature. An oxymoron presents two seemingly contrasting terms together. The same applies to linking to Romeo and Juliet. If these phrases are used in writing or even in oral communication, a more specific meaning can be reached. An oxymoron is an interesting literary device because it helps to perceive a deeper level of truth and explore different layers of semantics while writing. . The dramatic plot is filled with several examples of novel words and literary devices which were used for the first time or in an entirely new way. One of the most famous examples of the use of oxymorons is the following speech "We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon!" Oxymoron Quotes - BrainyQuote. Alfred Lord Tennyson, Idylls of the King The word oxymoron comes from the Greek word oxymoron. Difference Between Antithesis and Oxymoron Definition. This is a pairing of oppos… Oxymoron, a word or group of words that is self-contradicting, as in bittersweet or plastic glass. “the Chosen One”, “the object of Power”, “the knight in shining armor”. For example, when Juliet says, “Parting is... 2. What are some examples of oxymorons in literature? An oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines contradictory terms. B-Apostrophe. (Wordsworth) A Huge List of Oxymorons to Help You Understand the Concept. Title: 3h Oxymoron Example List Author: vlogle Created Date: 10/12/2010 10:24:58 AM A phrase such as “the silence whistled” is an example of this type of oxymoron. Definition, Examples of Literary Paradox Paradox is the expression of an idea that is contrary to expectations or existing beliefs. If you are looking for something seriously funny that will serve as a simply brilliant example of an oxymoron, the following article provides you with a compiled oxymoron list. First is OXYMORON – this refers to a description of something using a combination of two words that are actually the opposite in meaning. However, the contrasting words/phrases are … Antithesis contains two opposite words, clauses, sentences or concepts. Wolvish-ravening lamb! Oxymoron Examples in Literature 1. Rich and poor. The term itself contains two opposing ideas, from the Greek word oxys, meaning “sharp,” and moronos, meaning “dull” or “stupid.”. Oxymoron Examples Whoever finds English an exciting language to learn, will be familiar with the word 'Oxymoron'. Oxymoron is a figure of speech in which two contradictory or inappropriate terms are either put together or appear side by side. Example : living dead. An oxymoron is a figure of speech. Therefore, the language itself is not literal, but figurative. An oxymoron is a phrase that seems to use contradictory terms to express a particular thought or sentiment. Example of Oxymoron: jumbo shrimp. Examples of Oxymoron in Literature Example #1: Romeo and Juliet (By William Shakespeare) Example #2: Lancelot and Elaine (By Alfred Lord Tennyson) Example #3: Petrarch’s 134th sonnet (By Sir Thomas Wyatt) Example #4: Essays of Criticism (By Alexander Pope) Example #5: Hamlet (By William Shakespeare) D-Literature 14-”Life is but a talking shadow” is an example of. For example, “Cowards die many times before their death” (Julius Caesar, 2.2.32) might at first glance seem like an oxymoron, but this is a paradox. Examples of Oxymorons in Poetry. One of the most legendary oxymoron phrases is in Act-II, Scene-II of Shakespeare’s play, Romeo and Juliet — “Parting is such sweet sorrow.” The incongruity of the resulting statement allows writers to play with language and meaning. Oxymoron, plural oxymora, is a figure of speech in which two opposite ideas are joined to create an effect. "O brawling love! Oxymoron Definition. Oxymorons are often used in everyday conversation and in a breadth of writing, such as literature… Oxymoron in Romeo and Juliet: “Why then, O brawling love, O loving hate, O anything of nothing first created! Examples of Oxymoron in Literature. So oxymoron is itself a bit of, well, an oxymoron. It smashes together a root word meaning sharp and another root meaning dumb. In each example, the oxymoron is underlined. clarify different shades of meaning. For example, the term “bittersweet” is an oxymoron. serious vanity! make a better description of a scene. The figure of speech known as an “oxymoron” refers to a pair of terms that contradict each other, but are used together to create a specific and special effect. An oxymoron is a figure of speech: a creative approach to language that plays with meaning and the use of words in a non-literal sense. Examples of Oxymorons in Sentences Therefore, oxymorons are not necessarily mistakes or errors. An oxymoron is paradoxical in nature but is a figure of speech rather than a situation or event. Your sources need to support the views you've expressed, not merely provide more examples of oxymorons. So "jumbo shrimp" is an oxymoron. Definition, Usage and a list of Oxymoron Examples in common speech and literature. It’s a contradiction in terms.”. Still-waking sleep, that is not what it is! B-Lampoon. Oxymoron Examples and Definition - Literary Devices. A “bookful blockhead” who is “ignorantly read” is a clear example of an oxymoron that uses humor to convey a given thought.You may also see informative speech. 'Oxymoron' is the singular form, and 'Oxymora' (or 'Oxymorons') is the plural form. “O brawling love! Examples of Oxymorons in Poetry. alone together. O heavy lightness! * Examples of oxymoron s as puns: Open secret, deliberate mistake, etc. His lover, Lenore, had been lost and the … Other oxymoron examples in literature include the following passages. This sentence is a lie. Mom, and True Lies.. It is an oxymoron in the fact that it has two words that have a contradictory meaning. "brisk vacancy" (from "Self Portrait in a Convex Mirror" by John Ashbery). Dove-feather'd raven! What Is an Oxymoron? Oxymoron may seem nonsensical at times but they also make perfect sense in literature. In Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, Romeo experiences intense emotional turmoil when he realizes the pain of loving someone who he presumably cannot have. At times an oxymoron may call attention to the dual nature of an object or concept—something, for example, can be both sweet and sorrowful at the same time (Shakespeare famously wrote that “parting is such sweet sorrow”). Oxymoron Examples in Literature. In literature, contradictions take on different forms, and they often show up as examples of the literary devices below: Paradox Oxymoron Antithesis Contrast Irony I’ve previously written a post on irony and how to tell if something is ironic, which I encourage you to check out. The Prince and the Pauper. The figure of speech known as an “oxymoron” refers to a pair of terms that contradict each other, but are used together to create a specific and special effect. Shakespeare loved a good oxymoron…. It is clear that oxymoron is a powerful literary device used to add drama and appeal to speech and writing. Oxymoron Examples in Literature. . D-None 15-”The snakes are hissing and the bees are buzzing” s an example of. For example: This joke was seriously ridiculous. William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet Shakespeare often uses oxymorons. Paradoxes create deep and significant value for certain ideas which are not always immediately apparent but once revealed, provides great … An oxymoron is generally only two terms in length. Here's the difference between the two: A paradox is a statement or group of sentences that contradict what we know while delivering an inherent truth. Definition. In fact, the word 'oxymoron' is an oxymoron in itself--oxy is Greek for 'sharp' and moron is Greek for 'dull.' A-Onomatopoeia. That seems about right. B-Apostrophe. Oxymorons are similar to such other devices as paradox and antithesis and are often used in poetry and other literature. C-Alliteration. An oxymoron can indicate mixed feelings, such as Juliet calling Romeo "a beautiful tyrant." There are many splendid examples of oxymoron in English literature, especially in poetry. Authors have used oxymora throughout the history of literature for many reasons. OXYMORON vs. PARADOX. 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