“Contradictory rhetoric” puts two opposing things together and links them to rhetoric. It is not usually in the sense of contrast, but to make two incompatible things originally has the characteristics of the mutual penetration, mutual integration, based on the comprehensive, both to create a new realm. It not only embodies a kind of powerful aesthetic interest in aesthetics, but also shows a moral extreme sober in the aspect of revealing the truth of the nature and spirit. As a technique of expression, the “contradictory rhetoric” is not possible to make the content of the performance; as thought method, it makes the consciousness activity to the depths of the natural sense cannot reach; as a means of creation, it has opened up a unified world full of paradox. Baudelaire used usually in his creation “contradictory rhetoric”. To the “contradictory rhetoric” discussion can help us clear Baudelaire advocated by the “deep rhetoric” certain aspects of the connotation.
Oxymoron is usually translated as “paradox”, “negation” or “contradiction”, etc. Oxymoron is a Greek word in English which consists of “oxys” and “moros”. “Oxys” means sharp, keen or acute; “moros” means stupid or foolish. Longman Modern English Dictionary defines it as “a figure of research in which apparently contradictory terms are combined to produce an epigrammatic effect”. Oxford Concise Dictionary of Linguistics defines it as: “the term rhetoric is for the deliberate coupling of words that are strictly contradictory”. It consists of two opposite and contradictory words or phrases in a speculative ingenious rhetorical way. It uses concise language, the connotation of description vivid and delicate, to express complicated and profound emotion, reveal interesting life philosophy, receive a surprising and afford for thought artistic expression effect, so as to reflect the objective things complement each other, deep dialectical unification relations in contradiction. The usage of English is becoming more common, and is similar to Chinese speech. Although a pair of words with opposite meaning or words with huge contrast can be combined masterly, it is not simple addition of a pair of contradictory concepts or blunt split, while absorb anything and everything, achieve mastery through a comprehensive study of the subject to create and it has strengthened the expressing effect, such as: some people with the eye but often look the bad aspect referred to as “open eye blind”, which means they are “as blind as a bat”; “cruel kindness” in English is translated as (残酷的仁慈); and “true lies” (真实的谎言) and “sweet revenge” (甜美的复仇) are also the manifestation of oxymoron. 英语矛盾修辞法探析(2):http://www.youerw.com/yingyu/lunwen_40142.html