An oxymoron is a use of figurative language in which seemingly opposite terms appear together. Romeo uses “serious vanity” to show his inner turmoil at his love for Rosaline. In this sense, “vanity” means “foolishness,” which is the opposite of being serious. He is deeply in love, though he knows that such passion is foolish, for it takes such control over all his emotions. He mentions also, his “heavy lightness.” His heart is swept away, but this weighs on him in that he is bound to it. He can do nothing but dance through his life. It is a compulsion to be lighthearted. It is a serious business being foolish. As we know, this “serious vanity” is short-lived, for soon he will see Juliet. He will have an equal “serious vanity” for her, which will form the plot of the play. The challenge for the reader is to take Romeo as seriously as Juliet finally convinces herself to do.
No comments:
Post a Comment