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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 1
Explanation and Analysis—Prometheus's Burden:
In the following passage, taken from Prometheus's initial monologue in Act 1, the imprisoned Titan describes the pain he must undergo on a daily basis as a result of Jupiter's punishment. Shelley uses personification at many points throughout this monologue, employing the literary device to emphasize the more dramatic aspects of Prometheus's imprisonment. This technique comes to the fore when Prometheus describes the chains binding him:
The crawling glaciers pierce me with the spears
Of their moon-freezing crystals, the bright chains
Eat with their burning cold into my bones.
