Juxtaposition and Paradox free essay sample

In the beginning acts of Macbeth, William Shakespeare uses juxtaposition and paradox to set off contrasts between characters, ideas, and events. Detail the differences between juxtaposition and paradox. Also, relate how he uses juxtaposition to illuminate characters and paradox to compare and contrast thematic ideas and plot. A paradox is when an author uses apparently contradictory statements to get at some underlying truth. Juxtaposition, on the other hand, refers to placing two contrasting elements in proximity to each other to achieve some literary effect. As a writer, Shakespeare used both of these literary device to contrast characters, ideas, and events in his stories. It is seen most in the play Macbeth with the porter and the stability of good and evil. The most prominent example of juxtaposition that Shakespeare uses is the porter in Macbeths castle. The porter comes into the scene shortly after Duncan has been murdered. He then begins to make some intense jokes. We will write a custom essay sample on Juxtaposition and Paradox or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page For example he says â€Å"Here’s a knocking indeed! If a man were porter of hell-gate, he should have old turning the key† (II. iii. 1). The porter is saying that if someone had the job of unlocking the gates of hell is would be a strenuous job. This is a reference to Macbeth and to his most current actions. One of the most common literary devices seen in Macbeth, are paradoxes. One of the first things in the play that Macbeth says is, ‘So foul and fair a day I have not seen’ (I. iii. 38). By this Macbeth is commenting that the day has been both good and bad. This is contradicting itself in the fact that the day is either good or bad. Similarly the three witches say â€Å"fair is foul and foul is fair† (I. i. 12). To them they believe what is ugly is beautiful and what is beautiful is ugly. The easiest way to understand this is to think of the idea of yin and yang. There is good in evil and evil in good yet they work together and create a balance in the world. All in all, Juxtaposition and paradox were used heavily in Shakespeare’s work. It gave him the ability to compare and contrast different character and ideas. The use of juxtaposition compared two ideas to show their differences. Paradox on the other hand was a statement that contradicted itself to then make a dramatic point.