What literary device is apparent in these lines? - ProProfs Discuss
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What literary device is apparent in these lines?

What literary device is apparent in these lines?

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JULIET O serpent heart, hid with a flowering face! Did ever dragon keep so fair a cave? Beautiful tyrant! fiend angelical! Dove-feathered raven! wolvish-ravening lamb! Despised substance of divinest show! Just opposite to what thou justly seems, A damned saint, an honorable villain! O nature, what hadst thou to do in hell, When thou didst bower the spirit of a fiend In moral paradise of such sweet flesh? Was ever book containing such vile matter So fairly bound? O that deceit should dwell In such a gorgeous palace!

Asked by Tinated, Last updated: Nov 09, 2024

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3 Answers

G. Roland

G. Roland

G. Roland
G. Roland, Professor, Austin

Answered Jul 09, 2018

The answer to this question is oxymoron. This is a literary device that is used in order to prove a point by using words that are completely the opposite of what they mean. This is a literary device that is normally used in order to provide more drama to the reader. This can also be used in order to get the attention of the reader if in case he finds what he is reading to be a bit boring.

In the statement, she states through her own ways that the person she loves has killed her cousin. Her reaction is that she is not very happy about it but unless you read clearly, you may not see that point immediately.

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j.Barbara

j.Barbara

j.Barbara
J.Barbara

Answered Mar 07, 2018

These famous lines from Act 3 scene 2 of the famous tragedy Romeo and Juliet, which was written by William Shakespeare, are great examples of using an oxymoron.

An oxymoron is a literary device that uses and integrates contradictory words for the purpose of revealing a paradox or illustrating a rhetoric point. In general, oxymorons are used for various purposes. At times, they are used to create drama for the reader or listener, but most of the times, it is used to attract the attention of the reader or listener forcing him or her to stop, think and ponder about the words.

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John Smith

John Smith

John Smith
John Smith

Answered May 02, 2017

Oxymoron

She lists a number of opposite (i.e. damned saint honorable villian) to convey how she feels now knowing that her husband, whom she loves, has killed her cousin, which she obviously is not happy about.
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