What does Johnson's phrase 'discordia concors' (Life of Cowley) imply?
- A. Ironic inversion of residual ideology in a text
- B. A combination of two philosophically similar discourses
- C. A term for diminishing metaphor
- D. A combination of dissimilar images
- E. A combination of contradictory ideas and concepts
Pick an option to check yourself, or open the answer below.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A. (D) and (E) only
Explanation
Johnson defines metaphysical wit as 'a combination of dissimilar images, or discovery of occult resemblances in things apparently unlike', in which 'the most heterogeneous ideas are yoked by violence together'.
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