Thursday, October 14, 2010

Oxymoron in "Delight in Disorder"

A few significant oxymorons are found in Robert Herrick's "Delight in Disorder." The author presents these in lines 1, 12, and 14. These all serve to justify the overall message of the poem. "Sweet disorder" (line 1), "wild civility" (line 12), and "too precise" (line 14) appear to be rather contradictory descriptions. However, the speaker is stating that he thinks being perfect and precise is not nearly as beautiful as a little disorder. Without any disorder there is nothing to notice and nothing real. It is just a put-together picture. To the speaker, imperfection is perfection.

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