Oxymorons In Movies and Literature

Netizen's Comments:  Why do movies and literature use oxymorons? If the meaning is too deep ... kailangan pa talaga magisip ng movie-going public? Baka hindi na maintiendihan or masakyan ang mensaheng gustong nilang iparating.

Response:  This is a valid question ... and I will not fault you for asking that.

Well ... literature, stage plays, and even movies fall victim to the use of oxymorons. Hindi kasi maiwasan. Kung ang pelikula ay nagpapacute ... gusto lang talagang gisingin ang attention mo at kinikiliti ka at pinakilig.

1. Some writers and scriptwriters use oxymorons to add drama or color or a lasting impact to the scene to dramatize feelings and situations. When juxtaposing two incongruous words ... the word's meaning intensifies. In Romeo and Juliet ... beautiful Juliet, tells her lover Romeo that “parting is such SWEET SORROW, that I shall say good night till it be morrow”. This is an alliterative oxymoron blending emotions how sad or sorrowful it is to say goodbye ... and it is sweet at the same time because she is looking forward to seeing him again the next day. Being expectant of their next meeting ...  the thrill of anticipation in Juliet... to her is a delectable pleasure.

2. They use an oxymoron to add irony to the statement. An ironic statement presents a seemingly contradictory reality. The more friction created by two opposing words the better for the writer. For example, in the movie, the actor says, “The food is "DISGUSTINGLY DELICIOUS”. The viewers were not prepared for that one-liner and they were shocked at his choice of words because objectively how can it be delicious when it is disgusting? This is an example of a false irony; the reality is true that the food is delicious, but the statement presents it as if it is not true.

3. They use an oxymoron to continue their frisky and playful tone or mood. When used sarcastically, the rhetorics were created for humorous effect. When the actress said, "You are such a "BIG BABY" they blend two antithetical words but when examined and well thought of ... they have the potential to make sense ... that adds savvy and sharpness to his writing. The incongruous words seemingly sound false at first glance, but may prove to be well-founded or true in further analysis.

4. Oxymorons make the meaning of the word or phrase complex. If the actor says: "I was so annoyed at her habits ... but all I can do is SILENT SCREAM". The moviegoer should not take the word at its face value ... there might be a more sinister meaning lurking behind. The actor was annoyed alright ... he was screaming in his thoughts ... but because he loves the girl ... his cries of protest were not verbalized or expressed in words ... hence the word silent.

To mention a few... these are the most noted oxymoron ever used in literature, music, poetry, or movies.

1. EXQUISITE AGONY - from Call Of the Wild. This is how Jack Landon's novel describes Buck's pain when he was beaten to submission.

2. TRUE LIES - the title of the movie is an oxymoron. Arnold S. is living a double life and lies about his identity and who he really was to his wife.

3. Night of the LIVING DEAD - the title of the 1968 sci-fi movie

4. WAKING DREAM - the title of the 2018 documentary movie.

5. TORMENTING JOY - from Paradise Lost by Milton

6. FAIR is FOUL and FOUL is FAIR - From Hamlet

7. DEFINITELY MAYBE - the title of the romantic comedy movie

8. SOUND OF SILENCE - Song of Simon and Garfunkel

9. PERFECT IMPERFECTION - from the song of John Legend All of Me.

10. DELICIOUS POISON - from Charlotte Bronte  - This is how the actor describes what he feels when he was torn in a web of love and duty.