What is oxymoron in literature

Here are some well-known and recognizable examples of this figure of speech:. People are often confused by the difference between oxymoron and paradox. Paradox is a literary device in which a statement or group of statements features initially contrasting ideas.

However, with applied thought, paradoxes make sense. Also, they often lead the reader to an underlying truth. One example of a paradox is the following conflicting idea. The best way to make money is to spend money. This means that oxymoron is a figure of speech that includes just a couple of contradictory words that are paired together rather than a full statement of ideas. Oxymoron phrases can be figuratively true, but not literally true. Reading these words together will often cause a reader to pause and think about what the writer is trying to convey.

The phrase daily night certainly features contrary wording. Oxymoron Definition. Oxymoron Examples. Oxymoron vs. Comparative Devices. Examples of Oxymoron in Literature. Further Resources on Oxymorons. Related Terms.

Supposed Oxymoron When asked to cite an oxymoron, many people mention the phrase jumbo shrimp. Satirical Oxymoron A writer or speaker may intentionally tout a non-oxymoron as an oxymoron for the sake of satire. Paradox Where an oxymoron sets up a contradiction for the purpose of satire, a paradox presents an apparent contradiction that is somehow essentially true.

Oxymoron is a figure of speech that can reveal a paradox, but it is not the same thing as a paradox. Oxymorons are important for a number of reasons. They can spice up language and conversation with wit and humor when used casually.

They can also challenge beliefs and prompt the audience with confusing phrases so that they will think harder about the material. Oxymorons can prompt audiences to use logic to think more deeply than normal in order to reveal deeper, more complex truths. The overall effect of oxymoron is to produce a dramatic element in writing. Furthermore, oxymorons can help writers express complex ideas that are not easily understood. Rather than going on a tangent to describe an unusual idea, an author can use contradictions in the form of oxymorons in order to briefly convey what needs to be expressed.

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. Oxymoron Resources. LitCharts Teacher Editions. Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. The original text plus a side-by-side modern translation of every Shakespeare play. Sign Up. Already have an account?

Sign in. From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. Literature Poetry Lit Terms Shakescleare. Download this entire guide PDF. Teachers and parents! Struggling with distance learning? Our Teacher Editions can help. Oxymoron Definition What is an oxymoron? Some additional key details about oxymorons: The word "oxymoron" is itself an oxymoron. If you're referring to oxymoron in plural, both oxymorons and oxymora are correct. Oxymorons is now more common in print than oxymora, but you'll find the latter listed in most dictionaries.

The words in an oxymoron don't need to to be glued together, as in "heavy lightness" or "serious vanity. Related Terms Oxymoron is often confused with other related terms, such as "contradiction in terms," "paradox," and "antonym. Oxymoron vs. Contradiction in Terms Today, many people use the term "oxymoron" as a synonym for any expression whose components contradict one another, even contradictions that are unintentional or come up in casual conversation also called a "contradiction in terms".

Paradox It's also helpful to understand the relationship between oxymoron and paradox. Oxymorons vs. Antonyms Words that are antonyms have opposite meanings from one another.

Oxymorons take two contradictory words or ideas and bring them together to create a single, deeper meaning. The oxymoron "darkness visible," for instance, captures the sense of darkness being not just the lack of light, but also a tangible, terrible thing.