Figures of Speech Oxymoron Quiz : An oxymoron is a rhetorical figure of speech that juxtaposes seemingly contradictory or incongruous terms to create a compressed paradox, often revealing a deeper truth or emphasizing complexity. Used in literature, poetry, and everyday language, this device enhances meaning by provoking thought and highlighting contrast, as seen in phrases like “bittersweet,” “living death,” or Milton’s “darkness visible.”
10 Famous Examples of Oxymoron :
- Bittersweet – A mix of happiness and sadness.
- Deafening silence – Silence so intense that it feels loud.
- Living death – A state of existence that feels like death.
- Jumbo shrimp – A contradiction between size (jumbo = large, shrimp = small).
- Cruel kindness – An act of kindness that seems harsh but is beneficial.
- Awfully good – Something surprisingly great but with a contradictory tone.
- Darkness visible – Used by John Milton in Paradise Lost to describe Hell.
- Alone together – Two people together but emotionally distant.
- Original copy – A copy that is somehow considered an original.
- Act naturally – A phrase that contradicts itself (acting vs. being natural).
Comparison between Oxymoron and Paradox :
| Feature | Oxymoron | Paradox |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | A figure of speech that combines two contradictory words or terms for a striking effect. | A statement or idea that seems self-contradictory but reveals a deeper truth upon reflection. |
| Structure | Usually a short phrase (two or a few words). | A longer statement, sentence, or concept that may require deeper analysis. |
| Example | Bittersweet, living death, deafening silence, cruel kindness. | “Less is more.” / “I must be cruel to be kind.” / “The only constant is change.” |
| Nature | Focuses on word-level contradictions. | Focuses on thought-level contradictions. |
| Usage | Primarily used in poetry, literature, and daily language to create contrast and impact. | Used in philosophy, logic, and literature to challenge thinking and express complexity. |
| Effect | Creates a dramatic or poetic effect by pairing opposite words. | Stimulates deeper thinking by presenting a statement that appears illogical but holds truth. |
| Example in Literature | “Darkness visible” (John Milton) | “All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others.” (George Orwell) |
| Logical Explanation | Contradiction is evident but accepted for artistic effect. | Contradiction seems impossible but reveals hidden logic when analyzed. |
Figures of Speech Oxymoron Quiz
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