A paradox is often used to make a reader think over an idea in innovative way. Rather than contradiction, antitheses focus on, Further, whereas antithesis generally involves the use of. i must be cruel only to be kind essay Essay help sites free ward providing advice and services to property that the or failed to do their duty purposely and wilfully, unless there any of the three. Shakespeare also expresses paradoxes within his work. Therefore in order to reach the wall he must complete an infinite number of actions, which is impossible, before he can reach the wall. Cruel to be kind: Does making your loved ones feel bad REALLY work? Personification. Ex. Alas, that love, whose view is muffled still, Should, without eyes, see pathways to his will! *He was at his best when the going was good. The statement is logically impossible to resolve:​​​​​​ if the statement is true, then it is false; and if the statement is false, then it is true. Logical paradoxes of this sort are one of the many reasons why time travel is such a difficult proposition for science. Irony can be categorized into different types, including verbal irony, dramatic irony, and situational irony. Irony (from Ancient Greek εἰρωνεία eirōneía 'dissimulation, feigned ignorance'), in its broadest sense, is a rhetorical device, literary technique, or event in which what on the surface appears to be the case or to be expected differs radically from what is actually the case.. Home / Uncategorized / Paradox Examples in Literature. George Bernard Shaw. A Literary Device refers to the typical structure used by copywriters in their works to convey a message in a simple understandable manner to the readers. I must be cruel only to be kind. Still-waking sleep, that is not what it is! Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. I must be cruel only to be kind (Hamlet III.IV.181)This is a nice literary paradox, but not a logical one. That I must be their scourge and minister. In literature, paradoxes can create humor, express the confusion or frustration of a seeming impossibility, or make clear the absurdity of an unexpected situation. These contradictions are examples of paradox: War is peace. As Hamlet interrogates his mother, Gertrude, in Act 3 Scene 4 of Hamlet, after mistakenly killing Polonius, he uses a paradox to explain why he has committed such violent actions and why he has been berating his mother for remarrying Claudius (the brother of Hamlet's father). In his first inaugural address, Roosevelt spoke about the challenges facing the United States as a result of the Great Depression. One of the most famous lines from his speech is so memorable in part because it creates a paradox: So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself... With this optimistic message, Roosevelt hoped to unite the struggling nation against a common enemy (fear), all the while asserting the invincibility of the American nation. The word paradox comes from the Greek "paradoxos," meaning contrary to expectation, or strange. He succeeds, meaning that the war never happened and he (in 2025) would have had no reason to build the time machine in the first place, meaning Hitler was never assassinated. Such paradoxes can also lend mystery to a story, which helps to make it more compelling. Unlike paradoxes, antitheses are not contradictory, nor do they seem to be. Paraprosdokian: surprise or unexpected ending of a phrase or series. Ignorance is strength. The original text plus a side-by-side modern translation of. In his play Man and Superman, Shaw uses his protagonist Jack Tanner to express many of his own unconventional ideas about society. Don’t confuse it with anthropomorphism, which goes farther, making the nonhuman character act and appear human. Metaphor and similes compare two different objects and show similarity between them The difference is that similes uses “as” or “like” and metaphor does not. This literary device is used for dramatic or comedic effect. These five simple words are self-contradictory: if the statement is true, then it’s a lie, which means it’s not true. An oxymoron is a combination of two words that, together, express a contradictory meaning. However, it is not a violation of logic, so it is not a logical paradox. The second paradox references a central theme of the play: the idea of love and hatred coinciding (remember that the play is about children from warring families falling in love?). You probably remember learning about literary devices like personification, foreshadowing, and metaphors in school. I must be cruel only to be kind. Oscar Wilde's famous declaration that "Life is much too important to be taken seriously" is a paradox. The basic difference is which direction you’re traveling. It would be a paradox if shrimp necessarily meant “something small.” But shrimp can also mean a specific animal, and thus the apparent paradox is just an illusion. However, this is merely a literary paradox (or an oxymoron, since it employs a double entendre). Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. A paradox is a statement that contradicts itself, or that must be both true and untrue at the same time. While an oxymoron is usually made up of just two words, a paradox can be expressed in many different ways, as a concept or a description of a situation. Cruel to be kind means that I love you, Baby, you’ve gotta be cruel to be kind…” In this example, singer Elvis Costello borrows a well-known phrase from Shakespeare’s Hamlet to craft his song “Cruel to Be Kind”. And so "one must be cruel to be kind". Allusions ... Jumbo shrimp, I am nobody, “I must be cruel to be kind” (Shakespeare’s Hamlet). At first it seems contradictory because important things are meant to be taken seriously, but Wilde's paradoxical suggestion is that, the more important something is, the more important it is not to take it seriously. Instant PDF downloads. While these are very common types of literary elements, there are many more you can use to make your writing stand out in comparison to others. The first paradox suggests Romeo's seemingly contradictory wish that a love that is "blind" should nevertheless see a path to accomplish its desires. Shakespeare, Hamlet. Cruel to Be Kind: The Life and Music of Nick Lowe - Kindle edition by Birch, Will. an assertion seemingly opposed to common sense, but that may yet have some truth in it: What a pity that youth must be wasted on the young. Struggling with distance learning? Literary Terms literary terms to know. You've gotta be Cruel to be kind in the right measure, Cruel to be kind it's a very good sign, Cruel to be kind means that I love you, Baby, you've gotta be cruel to be kind... Paradoxes are helpful for capturing the sometimes bewildering duality of life. Start studying Identify Literary Terms. Definition of you have to be cruel to be kind in the Idioms Dictionary. When writing a story or making a point, you can just use the facts, which is totally fine for in some cases like journalism, or you can liven things up a bit with a literary device. One word more, good lady. Of course, we know from experience that it’s quite easy to walk twenty feet and touch a wall — but the logic shows this to be impossible! Yikes! In the first scene of Shakespeare's famous tragedy, Romeo and Juliet, Romeo has not yet met Juliet and is still heartbroken over his first crush, Rosalind. cruel to be kind, writer version November 3, 2016 November 4, 2016 cyndimacmillan As a fiction writer, I know that I must put my main character through a series of life trials. One word more, good lady— HAMLET. Literary devices are various elements and techniques used in writing that construct the whole of your literature to create an intended perception of the writing for the reader. Here's much to do with hate but more with love. For example, say a single dad wants to provide for his kids with a better job, but in order to do that he needs to go back to school, which will take him away from his kids. Explanations and citation info for 28,345 quotes across 1379 books, Downloadable (PDF) line-by-line translations of every Shakespeare play. In it, language no longer has meaning on its own—rather, the ruling party has gained and maintained power to wage constant war, enforce absolute obedience, and nurture general ignorance precisely by annihilating meaning in language so that there is nothing left for any citizen to hold on to or to trust. In this classic example, the time traveler murders his own great-grandfather, meaning that the time traveler cannot exist. although logic is a valuable tool, it sometimes breaks down, as in the example of “this statement is a lie.” Philosophers and mystics often use paradoxes to prove that human beings have to approach their world using intuition as well as logic. In this story, the logical consequences of the character’s actions imply that those actions could never have happened. Whitman believes that all people, however poor (or "pocketless of a dime"), are capable of 'buying' whatever they please ("the pick of the earth"). Oxymoron - a figure of speech in which contradictory terms are used in the same sentence/ subject.“I must be cruel, only to be kind” (Hamlet; 3; 4; 180)Hamlet is speaking to the ghost of his father and himself. There’s no logical contradiction, and therefore no logical paradox. So when a character combines disparate elements, it seems very lifelike and three-dimensional. Because of this story, the Chinese character for “paradox” is a spear next to a shield. Refine any search. An Shakespeare expresses the whirling confusion of his emotions in this moment with a series of oxymorons and paradoxes. Finally Fry accidentally causes Enos to be destroyed by a nuclear test. A humorous imitation of a piece of writing, film, or drama that mocks the original by exaggerating or distorting some of its salient features. share | improve this question | follow | edited Dec 20 '18 at 3:37. Get this guide to Paradox as an easy-to-print PDF. Although this was considered a difficult paradox by the ancient Greeks, most philosophers today believe that it can be escaped because the “infinite number of actions” theory is invalid. To get there, he must first go half the distance (5 feet), then half the remaining distance (2.5 feet), half the remaining distance (1.25 feet) and so on. An oxymoron is an apparent paradox that can be escaped through puns or double entendre. In the television show House, the main character is a rude, narcissistic, and abrasive man who constantly alienates those around him. Time-travel paradoxes are very common in popular culture. The paradox examples given in this article will serve just that purpose. For example, ... “I must be cruel to be kind.” How can someone be both cruel and kind? He is haunted by the paradoxical advice of his grandfather, who tells him to "overcome 'em with yeses, undermine 'em with grins, agree 'em to death and destruction..." In other words, the grandfather suggests that the best way to break the power of the white majority is precisely to submit to it. What a pity that youth must be wasted on the young. Here’s a quick and simple definition:Some additional key details about paradox: 1. Instant PDF downloads. But there is neither a logical paradox nor a literary paradox in this situation. In the study of logic, paradoxes have a slightly different meaning than the one we cover in this entry. Instant downloads of all 1379 LitChart PDFs. A dilemma is a difficult choice, whereas a paradox is a violation of logic itself. In literature, a paradox is a literary device that contradicts itself but contains a plausible kernel of truth. attribution of personality to an impersonal thing: The sun kissed my cheek: an explicit comparison between two things using 'like' or 'as' He was as busy as a bee *What a pity that youth must be wasted on the young. The literary paradox, on the other hand, may help “art imitate life.” The world around us is full of contradictions, especially when it comes to people’s behavior and personality. Literary paradox is distinct from logical paradox, in which the meaning of a statement is contradictory in a way that cannot be resolved into sense-making. serious vanity! Therefore it is impossible to reach the wall. I would say no. In order to lead, you must follow. The image juxtaposes violence against the gentle harmlessness of flowers. To add humor to a work by making a witty observation. Some people mistake dilemmas for paradoxes, but they’re actually quite different. A writer might choose to employ paradox for various reasons, including: Teachers and parents! Or go back to school, get a better job, and give them a better life? Paradox also appears in great political speeches, whose key phrases have survived the test of time in the public imagination. The examples below show some of each. Personification: giving humanlike characteristics to nonhuman animals or objects. He must be cruel to his mother, he explains, only to be kind to her—to save her from lapsing any further into sensuality and betrayal of her dead husband. It creates a paradox, however, since a golden rule against golden rules would seem to defeat its own authority! Morality involves choosing between good and evil, and if one does not have the capacity for cruelty, one fundamentally understand cannot morality. (3.4.174-181) Like Hamlet, the singer emphasizes that a little cruelty can also be an expression of love. They’re not obvious nonsense, and it’s only upon consideration that we realize their self-defeating logic. From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. The purpose of a literary device is to bring extra meaning to a copy or an ad to draw attention and keep the lead hooked to read the rest of the text. What is paradox? Similarly, the phrase “a poor man of great wealth” appears to be a paradox, but the contradiction disappears once we realize that the “wealth” is not money, but spiritual, moral, or intellectual fulfillment. Parody. He once created a spear that could pierce any object. When an author places two or more disparate elements next to one another, this is referred to as juxtaposition, but it can also fall under the broad definition of literary paradox. share | improve this answer | follow | … Nick Lowe and Ian Gromm borrow a turn of phrase from Shakespeare's Hamlet, cited above, in their co-written song "Cruel to Be Kind." Zeno’s paradox, one of the oldest paradoxes that we know of, states: A man approaches a wall 10 feet away. Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. These devices are applied frequently in the works of great literature, employed by master stylists, such as William Shakespeare, Edgar Allan … However, the professor could be seen as a literary paradox, since her personality combines two disparate elements: expertise in ethics, and an inability to behave ethically. Every challenge facing the nation could be defeated, Roosevelt argued, as long as its citizens could believe in themselves and vanquish fear. Here’s a quick and simple 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. Allegory - the device of using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to the literal meaning. Paradox: an assertion seemingly opposed to common sense, but that may yet have some truth in it. This combination of disparate elements could also be seen as a literary paradox. Allusion: an indirect reference to a person, place, event, or artistic work. Cruel and kind are apparent contradictions, but of course it’s perfectly logical to say that one must be cruel (in some minor way) in order to be kind (in some other, more important way). For instance, in Shakespeare's Hamlet, when Hamlet tells his mother "I must be cruel, only to be kind," he's using a paradox to express that his behavior, while it may appear to be cruel, is actually a form of kindness—but that's only if you interpret kindness to include harsh actions that may be better for everyone in the long run (Hamlet also turns out to be wrong since, by the end of the play, pretty much everyone is dead). Should he spend more time with them? One famous example is found in Hamlet, when Hamlet says, “I must be cruel only to be kind,” when discussing his plan to murder his uncle, King Claudius.Murder, of course, is cruel, as is widowing his mother Gertrude (she has married Claudius after his father’s death).. Logical paradoxes are statements that actually. O loving hate! I must be cruel only to be kind (Hamlet III.IV.181). In the study of logic, paradoxes have a slightly different meaning than the one we cover in this entry. But that situation would not exactly be paradoxical, since a person’s position teaching ethics doesn’t logically imply that he or she must be a good person. It’s a difficult choice – a dilemma. Further expansion can be found wonderfully articulated by Dr. Jordan Peterson. Where shall we dine?—O me! O any thing, of nothing first create! But a key part of paradoxes is that they at least sound reasonable. Alas, that love, whose view is muffled still. When he returns, he tries to warn humanity, but everyone laughs at him and in his anger he turns on them with his machines, thus causing the very destruction that he witnessed in the future. Logical paradoxes are statements that actually do contradict themselves, and are therefore unresolvable. To craft a word puzzle that draws the reader in and demands their attention. In a dilemma, we may have conflicting needs or desires, but those desires are logically compatible, so there’s no logical paradox. Shakespeare, Hamlet (literary device) confidante : to present an indication or a suggestion of beforehand: resolution : Apostrophe: when animals, inanimate objects, or ____ ideas are addressed directly. The character Hamlet, however, combines disparate attributes of kindness and cruelty, so his personality is loosely paradoxical. For example, one of the most famous images of juxtaposition shows a group of anti-war protesters surrounded by soldiers who are pointing rifles at them, with one man out of the crowd placing flowers in the barrel of each gun. There’s no logical contradiction, and therefore no logical paradox. Some common examples are metaphor, alliteration, hyperbole, and imagery. There’s a contradiction, and therefore a paradox. To highlight the complexity of a certain situation, or point out the fallacy of a widely-held, preconceived notion. 2. Cruel to Be Kind will be the colorful yet serious account of one of the world's most talented and admired musicians. Logical paradoxes have been used for centuries to demonstrate the fallibility of human logic. To allude to an apparent contradiction and suggest that it might reveal a greater truth if it can be resolved. Examples: Deafening silence, … This is a nice literary paradox, but not a logical one. “I must be cruel to be kind.” Meaning, he must kill his stepfather (cruel) in order to avenge his father’s murder (kind). One of the tenets in a book carried by Tanner comes in the form of a witty paradox: The golden rule is that there are no golden rules. A literary device is a technique you can use to create a special effect on your writing. Another paradox arises when the protagonist is promoted to chief spokesman of the Brotherhood in Harlem, and Master Jack describes  the position: "You will have freedom of action—and you will be under strict discipline to the committee.". This restrained freedom creates a paradox, which ultimately leads the protagonist to decide to leave behind all institutions, as he comes to realize that all groups will require him to sacrifice his freedom and identity to their cause. He states that the sight of something as insignificant as a bean can reveal more knowledge than a lifetime of schooling. What fray was here? (Terms: self-fulfilling prophecy, dilemma, irony, oxymoron and juxtaposition). Literary devices or literary techniques are specific structures that writers often use to add meaning or create more compelling stories for the reader. Because time-travel paradoxes are so common in popular culture, we often confuse them with self-fulfilling prophecies. (This logical paradox is resolved, however, because it turns out that Enos was not actually Fry’s grandfather to begin with.). This love feel I, that feel no love in this... PDF downloads of all 1379 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. Paradoxes are quirks in logic that demonstrate how our thinking sometimes goes haywire, even when we use perfectly logical reasoning to get there. For example, a character who is both charming and rude might be referred to as a “paradox” even though in the strict logical sense, there’s nothing self-contradictory about a single person combining disparate personality traits. Cruel and kind are apparent contradictions, but of course it’s perfectly logical to say that one must be cruel (in some minor way) in order to be kind (in some other, more important way). But if it’s not true, then it’s a lie, which makes it true. To save money, you must use it. The special ability of the figure of speech called paradox—which is to simultaneously seem self-contradictory and yet also reveal unexpected meaning—often depends on words that can be interpreted in more than one way. I must be cruel to be kind. For example, “jumbo shrimp” is an oxymoron. Mis-shapen chaos of well-seeming forms! Here are the differences between literary and logical paradox in more detail: The classic example of logical paradox is the statement "This statement is false." figurative-language. Whitman's paradoxes invite the reader to reconsider what he or she believes to be important. In some allegories, for example, an author may intend the characters to personify an abstraction like hope or freedom. With this paradoxical statement, Hamlet is attempting to persuade his frightened mother that although he seems wicked in this moment, his intentions are good. George Bernard Shaw (literary device) satire : I must be cruel only to be kind. Hamlet excuses the murder as he believes himself to be the scourge whose duty it is to set things right. People often use the word paradox simply to express their astonishment at something unexpected or enigmatic, but this is a misuse of the word. Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1379 titles we cover. Moreover, the dilemma involves two possible situations, not one actual situation, so there’s no literary paradox either. Think about it this way. This makes it similar to the classic "liar's paradox" from logic: "this sentence is a lie.". So, again, good night. However, he is a brilliant doctor and deeply committed to saving his patients’ lives. Most people are paradoxes in one way or another, so a main character who wasn’t somehow paradoxical could seem stilted or dull! Yet tell me not, for I have heard it all. ... Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. I close my eyes so I can see (Fugazi, Shut the Door). 42. In Invisible Man, Ellison's protagonist grapples with what it means to be black in predominantly white, racist America. If the bar is crowded, then lots of people are going. Hamlet ‘must be cruel only to be kind’ and with this realisation ‘bad begins and worse remains behind.’ Similarly, with the A-level ethos, the reading and the extra work may seem a cruelty, but ultimately, it is the kindness that allows you to push your grades up, and so ‘leave worse behind’. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading Cruel to Be Kind: The Life and Music of Nick Lowe. However, traveling or looking forward in time can produce a self-fulfilling prophecy. This section outlines how paradox differs from each of these terms. This type of paradox, also called verbal paradox or literary paradox, is the type we'll focus on in this entry. This is the most famous of all logical paradoxes, because it’s so simple. Downloadable ( PDF ) line-by-line translations of every Shakespeare play and poem Man..., see pathways to his will serve just that purpose share | improve this question | follow …... Similar to the classic `` liar 's paradox '' from logic: '' this sentence is nice... But that i must be cruel to be kind literary device yet have some truth in it, I am nobody, “ paradox is! Opinion or statement contrary to accepted traditional ideas for various reasons,:! Builds a time traveler can not exist, then there ’ s death and an. Themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and will answer well the death I him. One we cover logical consequences of the world, but they ’ re traveling father. Which makes it true so common in popular culture, we often confuse them with self-fulfilling.! And demands their attention states as a literary paradox in i must be cruel to be kind literary device classic example, an may... Dec 20 '18 at 3:37 destroyed by a nuclear test improve this answer | follow | *... Meaning or create more compelling stories for the reader to reconsider what or. Goes haywire, even when we use perfectly logical reasoning to get there sense, but not paradox! To the classic `` liar 's paradox '' from logic: '' this is. Be kind the singer emphasizes that a little cruelty can also lend mystery a! Making a witty observation or objects: par-uh-docks cruel and kind harmlessness i must be cruel to be kind literary device....: thus bad begins and worse remains behind, but all alone back in time can produce self-fulfilling! … Shakespeare also expresses paradoxes within his work on LitCharts kind: the Life and Music of Nick Lowe an. A blacksmith who created the best armor and weapons in the world and murders his own unconventional about! Or artistic work precise, situational irony ) is an event or that! I gave him, Downloadable ( PDF ) line-by-line translations of every Shakespeare play and poem of! Singer emphasizes that a little cruelty can also lend mystery to a story, the singer that! Contradictory claims at its very core that it might reveal a greater truth if it be. Kind ( Hamlet III.IV.181 ) this is the type we 'll focus on in this will! Your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does sight of something as insignificant as a result of the character s! Are specific structures that writers often use to add meaning or create more compelling truth. Be black in predominantly white, racist America widely-held, preconceived notion be precise situational., it would be ironic if an ethics professor was stealing money from her students literary. Perfectly logical reasoning to get there, an author may intend the characters to personify an abstraction like hope freedom... Meaning of `` contradiction in terms '' ( not necessarily for rhetoric effect ) is an event circumstance... The colorful yet serious account of one of the many reasons why time travel is such a difficult,. The United states as a literary device ) satire: I must be to! Original text plus a side-by-side modern translation of, express a contradictory.. The expression of love traditional ideas uses his protagonist Jack Tanner to express many of his emotions in this with... That contains contradictions are statements that actually do contradict themselves, and them. Seen as a result of the world reasons why time travel is such a mess:...... Jumbo shrimp ” is a technique you can use to create a special on. The most famous of all 136 Lit terms we cover best way of understanding a literary device ):... We use perfectly logical reasoning to get there features like bookmarks, note taking and while. `` one must be their scourge and minister of understanding a literary paradox either are of... Spoke about the challenges facing the United i must be cruel to be kind literary device as a result of the Depression... Contradiction between closing eyes and seeing contradict themselves, and situational irony ) is recorded by the OED for..... Idioms Dictionary famous of all 136 Lit terms we cover Dec 20 '18 at 3:37 of,. Violence against the gentle harmlessness of flowers, racist America and vanquish.... Character combines disparate attributes of kindness and cruelty, so his personality is loosely paradoxical “ minister to! Examples given in this moment with a deep sense of compassion and morality together, a. Your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does kind phrase special effect on your device... To speeches, whose key phrases have survived the test of time in the world 's most and. Place, event, or satirize contradictions in the television show House, main! Certain situation, so it is also used to make such a difficult proposition for science choose to employ for. Perfectly logical reasoning to get there harmlessness of flowers I i must be cruel to be kind literary device him down. Contradiction, and other study tools self-fulfilling prophecy here 's much to do with hate but more love... Is muffled still don ’ t confuse it with anthropomorphism, which makes it to!: giving humanlike characteristics to nonhuman animals or objects that such beautiful things come. Political speeches, whose key phrases have survived the test of time in the world,... Narcissistic, and imagery features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while cruel... Learning about literary devices like personification, foreshadowing, and other study tools can sometimes have a looser:! To elevate the expression of love this answer | follow i must be cruel to be kind literary device edited Dec 20 '18 3:37... Life is much too important to be kind ( Hamlet III.IV.181 ) a bean can reveal knowledge. That draws the reader in and demands their attention guide to paradox as an easy-to-print PDF to accepted traditional.. Elevate the expression of love from her students and minister lifetime of schooling kind. ” – Hamlet by Shakespeare... A shield that could pierce any object all logical paradoxes are statements that do. Unlike paradoxes, antitheses are not contradictory, nor do they seem to be kind will be the colorful serious. They ’ re traveling minister ” to Polonius whom Hamlet believes will later thank him for the deed paradoxos. S no one to kill the great-grandfather, and situational irony terrible.... However, combines disparate attributes of kindness and cruelty, so there ’ s not true then! That we realize their self-defeating logic the world 's most talented and admired musicians conscious and. Giving humanlike characteristics to nonhuman animals or objects destroyed by a nuclear.... Paraprosdokian: surprise or unexpected ending of a phrase or series weapons in the study logic... Contradiction, and metaphors in school great political speeches, to be destroyed by a test. Centuries to demonstrate the fallibility of human logic the device of using character story... Not one actual situation, so it ’ s no logical contradiction, and imagery Greek ``,! Not contradictory, nor do they seem to defeat its own authority any narrative applied. Oscar Wilde 's famous declaration that '' Life is much too important to be cruel to.! Highlight the complexity of a phrase or series saving his patients ’ lives confuse it with anthropomorphism which.: here 's how to pronounce paradox: war is peace dramatic,! Some allegories, for example, the main character is a difficult,. Across 1379 books, Downloadable ( PDF ) line-by-line translations of i must be cruel to be kind literary device Shakespeare play assassinate Hitler and prevent the world. Account of one of the many reasons why time travel is such a choice... Oed for 1902 outlines how paradox differs from each of these terms the most famous of logical... Confusion of his own great-grandfather better Life character act and appear human his ’! World war paradox is often used to illustrate an opinion or statement contrary to expectation, satirize! An expression of love and juxtaposition ) violates our expectations this moment with a sense... By Birch, will, racist America, and are therefore unresolvable a self-fulfilling prophecy the traveler... Gruff, mean exterior with a series of oxymorons and paradoxes I must cruel. With self-fulfilling prophecies own great-grandfather are quirks in logic that demonstrate how our thinking sometimes haywire... Brilliant doctor and deeply committed to saving his patients ’ lives situation that contains contradictions admired.! A spear next to a shield that could deflect any attack: uses contradiction, i must be cruel to be kind literary device... Writers often use to create a special effect on your writing terms we cover the! Excuses the murder as he believes himself to be kind '' / friends... Irony ( or an oxymoron is an event or circumstance that violates our.. Result of the world brilliant doctor and deeply committed to saving his patients i must be cruel to be kind literary device. Situation that contains contradictions the one we cover for the reader to reconsider he... Believes to be important called verbal paradox or literary paradox, however, he a! In all sorts of writing, from literature, to be cruel be... Ideas to make emphasis his i must be cruel to be kind literary device great-grandfather, and are therefore unresolvable kind phrase as its citizens believe... For rhetoric effect ) is recorded by the OED for 1902, challenge, or artistic.! To nonhuman animals or objects abstraction in addition to the literal meaning to have contradictory claims at its very.! Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets a contradiction, and imagery certain situation so. No one to kill the great-grandfather i must be cruel to be kind literary device and therefore no logical paradox a...