Paradox
Introduction + Context
Plot Summary
Detailed Summary & Analysis
Act 1, Scene 1 Act 1, Scene 2 Act 1, Scene 3 Act 1, Scene 4 Act 2, Scene 1 Act 2, Scene 2 Act 2, Scene 3 Act 2, Scene 4 Act 3, Scene 1 Act 3, Scene 2 Act 3, Scene 3 Act 3, Scene 4 Act 3, Scene 5 Act 3, Scene 6 Act 3, Scene 7 Act 4, Scene 1 Act 4, Scene 2 Act 4, Scene 3 Act 4, Scene 4 Act 4, Scene 5 Act 5, Scene 1 Act 5, Scene 2 Act 5, Scene 3 Act 5, Scene 4 Act 5, Scene 5
Themes
All Themes Power The Throne and the State Language Women Time
Quotes
Characters
All Characters Richard, Duke of Gloucester, King Richard III Richmond, King Henry VII Duke of Buckingham Queen Elizabeth Queen Margaret Lady Anne, Queen Anne
Symbols
All Symbols The Boar The Clock
Literary Devices
All Literary Devices Alliteration Allusions Dramatic Irony Foil Foreshadowing Genre Hyperbole Idioms Imagery Irony Metaphors Mood Motifs Oxymorons Paradox Pathos Personification Setting Similes Situational Irony Soliloquy Style Tone Verbal Irony
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Richard III
by William Shakespeare
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Richard III: Paradox 1 key example

New! Understand every line of Richard III.
Read our modern English translation.

Definition of Paradox

A paradox is a figure of speech that seems to contradict itself, but which, upon further examination, contains some kernel of truth or reason. Oscar Wilde's famous declaration that "Life is... read full definition
A paradox is a figure of speech that seems to contradict itself, but which, upon further examination, contains some kernel of truth or reason. Oscar... read full definition
A paradox is a figure of speech that seems to contradict itself, but which, upon further examination, contains some kernel... read full definition
Act 4, Scene 2
Explanation and Analysis—Thy Kindness Freezes:

In this excerpt, Richard III confronts Buckingham about his hesitation towards Richard's proposal to murder the Princes. The tyrant makes use of an oxymoron to express his frustration and doubt:

Tut, tut, thou art all ice; thy kindness freezes.
Say, have I thy consent that they shall die?

Related Characters: Richard, Duke of Gloucester, King Richard III , Duke of Buckingham
Related Symbols:
Related Themes:
The Throne and the State Theme Icon
Time Theme Icon
Related Quotes:
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