A Midsummer Nights Dream

Paradox: A statement that seems to be contradictory but that actually tells a truth. Example: So we grew together, like a double to a cherry, seeming parted, but yet an union in partition. Function: Here Helena blames Hermia for setting Demitrius and Lysander against her. While in truth the men are under the spell of Oberons flower, causing a big misunderstanding. This quote is a paradox since things can only be united or parted. You cant combine those things since they meanthe exact opposite. But when you take a closer look it makes more sense. This is said by Helena when she is talking about the friendship between her and Hermia. Helena makes Hermia feel guilty for what she has done. Helena doesnt understand why Hermia is so cruel now, thingking she has set the men up against her in mockery. Even though the girls are different in every way, they have always been the best of friends. Helena is comparing their friendship to an union in partition, parted in their differences, but united by their friendship. This makes the contradiction true. This example ties in with the theme the course of true love never did run smooth, in a lot of ways. At first because in this part of the play, none of the romances of the lovers are going right. The ones that love are not loved back by the ones supposed to love them. And because the true love in the friendship Hermia and Helena share is also disturbed by the occurrences in this part.