Friar Lawrence Soliloquy Quiz Answer: Paradox
“Within the infant rind of this small flower
Poison hath residence and medicine power:
…
Two such opposed kings encamp them still
In man as well as herbs, grace and rude will;” (II,iii,7)
Paradox
A paradox is a literary device that appears to contradict itself, yet holds true. The infant rind of a small flower contains both poison and medicine. That’s a contradictory statement that’s also true.
It’s also a metaphor. The infant rind of a small flower is being compared to a person. The medicine and poison is also compared to “opposed kings” and “grace and rude will.”
Go back to the Romeo and Juliet Friar Lawrence Literary Terms Quiz