What is an example of an oxymoron that fits in with the theme of love?
Shakespeare’s plays are full of oxymorons relating to love. One example is Hamlet’s derision of Ophelia, though they loved each other, and Hamlet was was just doing his fake-crazy trip, to disastrous results. I don’t consider ‘free love’ to be an oxymoron. It may seem incongruous and a phrase of opposites, but many people give love freely, so the phrase itself is innocent. See? Oscar Wilde also wrote a play containing oxymorons concerning love, ‘The Importance of Being Earnest,’ which is also satirical and humorous. In fiction, there is ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ by Leroux, ‘Terms of Endearment’ by McMurtry, ‘The Joy Luck Club’ by Tan, ‘Love Medicine’ by Erdrich and more. I’m sure you’ll get more answers, and suggest you also ask a reference librarian about books with this kind of theme.
