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Oath

Archaic Terms
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A solemn, binding promise or declaration, frequently invoking a deity, sacred icon, or truth to witness the speaker's honesty.

Detailed Definition
The term 'Oath' refers to a formal promise or declaration, often made with the invocation of a deity as a witness. In the poem, oaths symbolize the promises made in love, which the speaker finds to be fickle and unreliable. The exploration of oaths serves to underscore the tension between sincerity and deceit in romantic relationships, reflecting the speaker's disillusionment with love's promises.
Example
Example in poetry:
In older poetry, an oath is a solemn sworn promise, often invoking God, honor, or a beloved as witness; Shakespeare’s lovers frequently swear vows, though Romeo warns that “O, swear not by the moon,” because it changes; “By this salt wind, I will return” gives a ballad-like oath concrete natural imagery; A contemporary poem may distrust public promises: “He swore on the flag, but the names were still missing”
Additional Notes
The mention of 'Oath' in the context of love emphasizes the theme of broken promises and the speaker's skepticism about sincerity.; Found in the poem, Falsehood by William Cartwright
Also Known As
vow solemn pledge sacred bond sworn promise pledge
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