Last Updated on October 5, 2021
What is Antithesis? To help you understand what this literary device is and how it is used, this article provides detailed guidance on definitions and examples of Antithesis, and how it can be used in a sentence.
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Definition of Antithesis
“Antithesis” literally means “opposite” – it is usually the opposite of a statement, concept, or idea. In literary analysis, an antithesis is a pair of statements or images in which one reverses the other. The pair is written with similar grammatical structures to show more contrast. Antithesis (pronounced an-TITH-eh-sis) is used to emphasize a concept, idea, or conclusion.
Antithesis is an effective literary and rhetorical device, as it pairs exact opposite or contrasting ideas by utilizing the parallel grammatical structure. This helps readers and audience members define concepts through contrast and develop an understanding of something through defining its opposite. In addition, through the use of parallelism, antithesis establishes a repetitive structure that makes for rhythmic writing and lyrical speech.
For example, Alexander Pope states in An Essay on Criticism, “To err is human; to forgive divine.” Pope’s use of antithesis reflects the impact of this figure of speech in writing, as it creates a clear, memorable, and lyrical effect for the reader. In addition, Pope sets human error in contrast to divine forgiveness, allowing readers to understand that it is natural for people to make mistakes, and therefore worthy for others to absolve them when they do.
Examples of Antithesis in Everyday Speech
Antithesis is often used in everyday speech as a means of conveying opposing ideas in a concise and expressive way. Since antithesis is intended to be a figure of speech, such statements are not meant to be understood in a literal manner. Here are some examples of antithesis used in everyday speech:
- Go big or go home.
- Spicy food is heaven on the tongue but hell in the tummy.
- Those who can, do; those who can’t do, teach.
- Get busy living or get busy dying.
- Speech is silver but silence is gold.
- No pain, no gain.
- It’s not show friends; it’s show business.
- No guts, no glory.
- A moment on the lips; a lifetime on the hips.
- If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail.
Common Examples of Antithesis from Famous Speeches
Antithesis can be an effective rhetorical device in terms of calling attention to drastic differences between opposing ideas and concepts. By highlighting the contrast side-by-side with the exact same structure, the speaker is able to impact an audience in a memorable and significant way. Here are some common examples of antithesis from famous speeches:
- “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” (Martin Luther King, Jr. “I Have a Dream”)
- “The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.” (Abraham Lincoln “The Gettysburg Address”)
- “‘Some men see things as they are and say why. I dream things that never were and say why not.’” (Edward Kennedy quoting Robert F. Kennedy during eulogy)
- “We observe today not a victory of party, but a celebration of freedom, symbolizing an end as well as a beginning, signifying renewal as well as change.” (John F. Kennedy “Presidential Inaugural Speech”)
- “You see, for any champion to succeed, he must have a team — a very incredible, special team; people that he can depend on, count on, and rely upon through everything — the highs and lows, the wins and losses, the victories and failures, and even the joys and heartaches that happen both on and off the court.” (Michael Chang “Induction Speech for Tennis Hall of Fame”)
Examples of Proverbs Featuring Antithesis
Proverbs are simple and often traditional sayings that express insight into truths that are perceived, based on common sense or experience. These sayings are typically intended to be metaphorical and therefore rely on figures of speech such as antithesis. Proverbs that utilize antithetical parallelism feature an antithesis to bring together opposing ideas in defined contrast. Therefore, antithesis is effective as a literary device in proverbs by allowing the reader to consider one idea and then its opposite. It also makes for lyrical and easily remembered sayings.
Here are some examples of proverbs featuring antithesis:
- Cleanliness is next to godliness.
- Beggars can’t be choosers.
- Easy come, easy go.
- Hope for the best; prepare for the worst.
- Keep your friends close; keep your enemies closer.
- Like father, like son.
- Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.
- An ounce of protection is worth a pound of cure.
- Be slow in choosing, but slower in changing.
- Give them an inch and they’ll take a mile.
- If you can’t beat them, join them.
- Keep your mouth closed and your eyes open.
- One man’s junk is another man’s treasure.
- Out of sight, out of mind.
- Where there’s a will, there’s a way.
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