Question
What is the effect of Shakespeare’s use of oxymorons in the following lines from Juliet?
"Beautiful tyrant! Fiend angelical!
Dove-feather'd raven! Wolvish-ravening lamb!" (Act 3, Scene 2)
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5 points
To show Juliet’s confusion and conflicted emotions about Romeo killing Tybalt.
To show Juliet’s anger and hatred toward Romeo.
To highlight the theme of fate controlling Romeo’s actions.
To make fun of Romeo’s dramatic personality.
"Beautiful tyrant! Fiend angelical!
Dove-feather'd raven! Wolvish-ravening lamb!" (Act 3, Scene 2)
*
5 points
To show Juliet’s confusion and conflicted emotions about Romeo killing Tybalt.
To show Juliet’s anger and hatred toward Romeo.
To highlight the theme of fate controlling Romeo’s actions.
To make fun of Romeo’s dramatic personality.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The effect of Shakespeare’s use of oxymorons in Juliet's lines—"Beautiful tyrant! Fiend angelical! Dove-feather'd raven! Wolvish-ravening lamb!"—is primarily **to show Juliet’s confusion and conflicted emotions about Romeo killing Tybalt**. These contradictory phrases illustrate her turmoil as she grapples with her love for Romeo and her anger at him for committing murder. The juxtaposition of opposing qualities reflects her inner conflict and the complexity of her feelings in that moment.