Oxymoron

Oxymoron

A figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjunction

Effects

Oxymorons can cause a lighthearted mood or tone, and it can even emphasize conflict. When an author puts two opposing words together, forming an oxymoron, the author adds complexity and encourages the reader to think deeply about a particular idea.

a

What is the meaning of the oxymoron, "The bookful blockhead ignorantly read, With loads of learned lumber in his head, With his own tongue still edifies his ears, And always list'ning to himself appears.?" ("Essays of Criticism" by Alexander Pope) a) To describe someone who reads a lot but learns little from his reading. b) To describe someone who has a oddly shaped head. c) To describe someone who is selfish and only cares for himself. d) To describe someone who has multiple personalities.

d

What is the oxymoron in this quote, "Why, then, O brawling love! O loving hate! O anything, of nothing first create! O heavy lightness! Serious vanity! Mis-shapen chaos of well-seeming forms! Feather of lead, bright smoke, cold fire, sick health! Still-waking sleep, that is not what it is! This love feel I, that feel no love in this.?" ("Romeo and Juliet" by Shakespeare) a) loving hate b) heavy lightness c) serious vanity d) All of the Above

Etymology

from Greek oxymōron, noun use of neuter of oxymōros, which means "pointedly foolish"

Roots

oxys- "sharp, pointed" moros- "stupid, foolish"