Question

What literary device is used in the phrase "Our sweetest songs are those that tell of saddest thought"?

• A. Hyperbole
• B. Irony
• C. Paradox
• D. Alliteration

Answer 1

Answer:

C. Paradox

This line is a paradox, which presents an apparently contradictory statement that holds a deeper truth. It suggests that the songs we cherish most often express sorrow, not joy. The contradiction lies in associating "sweetest" with "saddest," but Shelley uses this to show how deeply human emotion is tied to suffering—an experience opposite to the skylark’s carefree song.