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Motifs
Definition of Oxymoron
An oxymoron is a figure of speech in which two contradictory terms or ideas are intentionally paired in order to make a point—particularly to reveal a deeper or hidden truth... read full definition
An oxymoron is a figure of speech in which two contradictory terms or ideas are intentionally paired in order to make a point—particularly to reveal... read full definition
An oxymoron is a figure of speech in which two contradictory terms or ideas are intentionally paired in order to... read full definition
Act 5, scene 2
Explanation and Analysis—Violence of Love :
Shakespeare repeatedly places language of desire and violence side by side to emphasize the paradox that love can be harmful. Othello himself constantly describes how it is the greatness of his love for Desdemona that dictates the greatness of his desire for violence. Just before he goes to kill Desdemona, he says:
Be thus when thou art dead, and I will kill thee
And love thee after. One more, and this the last. <he kisses her>
So sweet was ne’er so fatal. I must weep,
But they are cruel tears. This sorrow’s heavenly:
It strikes where it doth love.
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