Question:medium

Which figure of speech is used in the opening line of Spenser's sonnet LVII (57) - 'Sweet Warrior! When Shall I Have Peace with Thee?'

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To easily identify an oxymoron, look for a two-word phrase (usually an adjective followed by a noun) where the words seem to cancel each other out. This direct contradiction is the hallmark of an oxymoron.
Updated On: Feb 18, 2026
  • Metaphor
  • Oxymoron
  • Metonymy
  • Irony
Show Solution

The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation


Step 1: Concept Overview:
The problem requires identifying the figure of speech in "Sweet Warrior." A figure of speech uses words or phrases deviating from their literal meanings.

Step 2: Detailed Analysis:
Analyzing "Sweet Warrior":
\[\begin{array}{rl} \bullet & \text{“Sweet” implies kindness or gentleness.} \\ \bullet & \text{“Warrior” implies fierceness or aggression.} \\ \end{array}\]The phrase combines contradictory terms, which defines an oxymoron. Oxymorons create impactful juxtapositions. Examples: "living dead," "deafening silence," "bittersweet."
Other options are less relevant:
\[\begin{array}{rl} \bullet & \text{Metaphor: A comparison (e.g., 'the warrior is a lion'). Incorrect here.} \\ \bullet & \text{Metonymy: Substituting related term (e.g., 'the crown' for the monarch). Incorrect here.} \\ \bullet & \text{Irony: Contrast between intended and expressed meaning. While overall irony might exist, the phrase itself exemplifies an oxymoron.} \\ \end{array}\]

Step 3: Final Answer:
The figure of speech is an oxymoron.

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