The riddles were quite interesting if you look deeper into their meaning. For instance, one riddle suggests that the end of the mental puzzle is an egg. However, the riddle even contradicts itself. The riddle first states, "white as milk," which is obvious when looking at an egg. The next line states that the egg's surface is "soft as silk." This contradicts what an average eggshell is portrayed. An eggshell is hard and breaks easily when dropped. Another riddle that was told dealt with a thunderstorm. The storm is described as a male. "He comes roaring up the land." The thunderstorm is parallel to the King of Scots, Arthur O'Bower. It is interesting to compare a thunderstorm to a King.
Proverbs within the nursery rhymes were fascinating. Each proverb appeared to be a riddle, but ending up becoming a saying. For example, one of the proverbs speaks of the hours of sleep. "Nature requires five, custom takes seven, laziness takes nine, and wickedness takes eleven." The pacing and use of words within the proverb give the message more of an impact.
The paradoxes within the unit are a perfect example of the complexity of word usage. An example is a paradox that speaks of "I would if I cou'd, If I cou'dn't how cou'd I?" The entire poem contradicts itself to where the meaning is obscure. Another example is the paradox when a person states where they should be. "O that I was where I would be, then would I be where I am not!" The complexity within the writing confuses the reader, but also the paradox makes sense. It is almost as if it is chaotic writing that somehow fits together like a puzzle.
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