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Oxymorons
Definition of Paradox
A paradox is a figure of speech that seems to contradict itself, but which, upon further examination, contains some kernel of truth or reason. Oscar Wilde's famous declaration that "Life is... read full 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. Oscar... read full definition
A paradox is a figure of speech that seems to contradict itself, but which, upon further examination, contains some kernel... read full definition
Act 2, Scene 2
Explanation and Analysis—Freedom in Prison:
Imprisoned in Athens as enemy combatants from the city of Thebes, Arcite and Palamon at first lament their circumstances. However, Arcite attempts to cheer up his cousin and companion, using a paradox to argue that they can experience greater freedom while in prison:
Let’s think this prison holy sanctuary […]
What worthy blessing
Can be but our imaginations
May make it ours? And here being thus together,
We are an endless mine to one another;
We are one another’s wife, ever begetting
New births of love; we are father, friends,
acquaintance;
We are, in one another, families;
I am your heir, and you are mine. This place
Is our inheritance; no hard oppressor
Dare take this from us; here with a little patience
We shall live long and loving […]
Were we at liberty,
A wife might part us lawfully, or business;
Quarrels consume us.
He implores Palamon to think of the tower not as a prison but as a “sanctuary” in which they are, paradoxically, free from all of the troubles that come with freedom. He then emphasizes all the things that they can do in prison by force of imagination, serving, for example, as wife, father, heir, and friend to each other. In a similar metaphor, he suggests that they might be “an endless mine” to one another, or in other words, a limitless resource. “Were we at liberty,” he claims, they would be subject to all different kinds of restrictions, from the law to commerce to wives. Though Arcite’s paradoxical argument is not very convincing, it does show his sincere attempt to cheer up his companion prior to their tragic feud.
Related Themes:
Act 5, Scene 4
Explanation and Analysis—The Conquered Triumphs :
At the play’s conclusion, a surprising twist reverses the fates of Arcite and Palamon. Though Arcite defeats Palamon in battle and therefore wins Emilia’s hand in marriage, he is thrown from his horse and dies from his grievous injuries. Palamon, who was to be executed following his defeat, is spared execution and marries Emilia. Palamon and Theseus use paradox to make sense of this twist of fate:
PALAMON
O cousin,
That we should things desire which do cost us
The loss of our desire, that naught could buy
Dear love but loss of dear love.THESEUS
Never Fortune
Did play a subtler game. The conquered triumphs;
The victor has the loss; yet in the passage
The gods have been most equal.—
First, Palamon notes paradoxically that humans “desire” things that ultimately “cost” them “the loss of our desire.” In other words, human desires often lead to death, and with death, the loss of all desire. Theseus picks up on his paradoxical language and extends it further, noting that, due to the whims of fortune, “the conquered triumphs” and “the victor has the loss.” In other words, the “conquered” Palamon has triumphed in marrying Emilia, while the victorious Arcite “has the loss” of his own life. In this scene, characters use paradox to emphasize the irrational and senseless nature of the gods’ actions and decisions.
Related Themes:
