ANALYSIS OF PARADOX IN WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE'S POEM “I AM AFRAID” USING FORMALISM APPROACH
Keywords:
Paradox, Formalism, Shakespeare’s Poetry,Abstract
This study analyzes the use of paradox in William Shakespeare’s poem “I Am Afraid” using a formalism approach. The research focuses on identifying the forms of paradox found in the poem and examining how these paradoxes contribute to the poem’s overall meaning and message. Previous studies have primarily focused on stylistic, semiotic, and mimetic analyses of poetry, leaving the use of paradox as a central literary device in William Shakespeare’s poem “I Am Afraid” relatively unexplored; therefore, this study fills this gap by analyzing its role in shaping the poem’s meaning and aesthetic value. This study employs a qualitative method with text analysis and close reading as the main techniques. The data consist of lines and phrases containing paradoxical expressions, which are then categorized into rhetorical paradox, social paradox, logical paradox, and philosophy of science paradox. The findings reveal that paradox plays a significant role in expressing emotional conflict, particularly the contradiction between verbal expressions of love and the actions that follow. Through paradox, the poem conveys themes of fear, uncertainty, and emotional inconsistency in romantic relationships. This study concludes that paradox functions not only as a stylistic device but also as a central element in constructing the poem’s meaning and aesthetic value, offering a deeper understanding of Shakespeare’s representation of complex human emotions
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