Oxymorons
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

Richard III: Oxymorons 1 key example

Read our modern English translation.

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 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 Themes:
The Throne and the State Theme Icon
Time Theme Icon
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