A paradox is something that seems impossible and contradictory at first but, upon closer analysis, makes sense. It can even provide readers with needed information to understand a story of a real-life situation.

Paradox is an effective literary device as a means of creating interest in a literary work and engendering thought on the part of the reader. Here are some examples of paradox and how it adds to the significance of well-known literary works:

2024年1月31日 · Some of the best-known paradox poetry examples include Holy Sonnets: Batter my heart, three-person’d God (1633) by John Donne, Waiting for the Barbarians (1898) by C.P. Cavafy, and The Tuft of Flowers (1913) by Robert Frost. However, there are many more instances of the paradox in poetry than in this short and summarized list.

Paradox is related to oxymoron, which creates a new phrase or concept out of a contradiction. The metaphysical poets often fixated on the paradoxical nature of the Christian God’s triune nature (Father, Son, Holy Ghost).

Resonating emptiness, cradling each word, Delve into nothing, find fullness in sight. A dance in the void, where dreams intertwine, Offering solace, both loss and design. Complex in the simple, a riddle in time— Openness beckons, unending, sublime. Poetry thrives where the paradox lies, Embracing the nothing, where everything sighs.

In literature, the paradox is an anomalous juxtaposition of incongruous ideas for the sake of striking exposition or unexpected insight. It functions as a method of literary composition and analysis that involves examining apparently contradictory statements and drawing conclusions either to reconcile them or to explain their presence. [1]

PoetrySoup is a great educational poetry resource of famous paradox poems. These examples illustrate what a famous paradox poem looks like and its form, scheme, or style (where appropriate). See also:

When it comes to poetry, introducing paradox can be a great way to add depth and complexity. The trick is to craft your words carefully to make the most of their poetic potential. You can use a few techniques: reversal, oxymoron, ambiguity, juxtaposition, and irony.

Paradox poems are a unique form of poetry that play with contradictions and give the reader a sense of wonder and surprise. These poems often challenge our thinking and encourage us to look beyond the surface level of things. In paradox poems, opposites coexist, creating an intriguing juxtaposition that sparks creativity and imagination.

2024年5月23日 · A paradox in poetry is a statement or phrase which appears to contradict itself, yet is surprisingly accurate or true. It is an intentionally self-contradicting statement which can be interpreted in different ways, and is designed to provoke thought or draw attention to …