Examples Of Oxymorons In Romeo And Juliet

Fletcher Wilson
Mrs. Harris
English 9-6
3 March 2023
Oxymorons in Romeo and Juliet:
Duality in figurative language is an extremely essential tool to authors. Duality is a word most people are familiar with. By definition, duality is an instance of opposition or contrast between two concepts or two aspects of something. In literature, there are many ways of expressing duality. Most commonly found when contrasting two things. Comparing and contrasting two ideas can show duality, in juxtaposition, duality is expressed in how two objects or concepts contrast one another, and finally, oxymorons, which are a figure of speech in which two contrasting words are put right next to each other, show duality in the contrast of the word’s meanings. Furthermore,

Shakespeare hid this theme throughout his entire play through the use of figurative language, specifically oxymorons, and the behaviors of different characters. In lines 23-24 in act 2 scene 3 Shakespeare wrote, “Within the infant rind of this small flower/Poison hath residence and medicine power.” When put into words that an average reader can understand, Shakespeare wanted to use this small flower as an example for all of human life. He wanted the reader to contemplate how the flower reflects manhood and how we have good and evil inside each one of us. When he wrote, “Poison hath residence and medicine power”, he elaborated on how the flower can be beautiful and can heal, and yet be deadly and can harm. Later down the line Shakespeare explained even further simply restating what was said in the previous quote. He wrote, “Two such opposed kings encamp them still, /In man as well as herbs- grace and rude will.” He simply restated we can find good and evil qualities in everything on this planet, from simple men all the way down to simple herbs. Lastly, what are some specific examples of these splits and divisions of good vs evil in Romeo and Juliet’s

One specific character in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet that has these divisions of good and evil and stands out is Romeo. As Juliet said, “A damned saint, an honorable villain A damned saint, an honorable villain.” (3.2.80), Romeo had this division and when analyzed in detail both sides are shown clearly throughout the play. Looking at specific instances, Shakespeare wrote, “Romeo, the love I bear thee can afford/No better term than this: thou art a villain.” (3.1.56-57). When Tybalt accused Romeo of being a villain, he had good reason too. In the story, Romeo ends up killing Tybalt in a duel. However, killing someone who is soon to be your relative because of your secret marriage may be perceived as villainous. Although he was seeking out revenge for Benvolio, his friend that was just murdered by Tybalt, it does not give Romeo the excuse to go and kill him right after. However, if a man has this evil, killing half inside of him, what is the other half comprised of? In different parts of the play Shakespeare wrote, “Oh, she doth teach the torches to burn bright! / It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night / Like a rich jewel in an Ethiope's ear” … “With love's light wings did I o'erperch these walls / For stony limits cannot hold love out” (1.5.42-44) (2.2.66-67). How does Romeo, such a cold-hearted, revenge-seeking murderer, turn into such a lover and