XIII Международная студенческая научная конференция Студенческий научный форум - 2021

Antithesis, which literally means “opposite,” is a rhetorical device in which two opposite ideas are put together in a sentence to achieve a contrasting effect.

Antithesis is generally moulded in parallel construction. The antagonistic features of the two objects or phenomena are more easily perceived when they stand out in similar structures. This is particularly advantageous when the antagonistic features are not inherent in the objects in question but imposed on them. The structural design of antithesis is so important that unless it is conspicuously marked in the utterance, the effect might be lost.

Antithesis emphasizes the idea of contrast by parallel structures of the contrasted phrases or clauses. The structures of phrases and clauses are similar, in order to draw the attention of the listeners or readers.

It is not only the semantic aspect which explains the linguistic nature of antithesis, the structural pattern also plays an important role. Antithesis is generally moulded in parallel construction. The antagonistic features of the two objects or phenomena are more easily perceived when they stand out in similar structures. This is particularly advantageous when the antagonistic features are not inherent in the objects in question but imposed on them. The structural design of antithesis is so important that unless it is conspicuously marked in the utterance, the effect might be lost.

It must be remembered, however, that so strong is the impact of the various stylistic devices, that they draw into their orbit stylistic ele­ments not specified as integral parts of the device. As we have pointed out, this is often the case with the epithet. The same concerns antith­esis. Sometimes it is difficult to single out the elements which distin­guish it from logical opposition.

Antithesis is a device bordering between stylistics and logic. The extremes are easily discernible but most of the cases are intermediate. However, it is essential to distinguish between antithesis and what is termed contrast. Contrast is a literary (not a linguistic) device based on logical opposition between the phenomena set one against another. Here is a good example of contrast.

Some famous antithetical statements have become part of our everyday speech, and are frequently used in arguments and discussions. Below is a list of some common antithetical statements:

1. Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice.

2. Man proposes, God disposes.

3. Love is an ideal thing, marriage a real thing.

4. Speech is silver, but silence is gold.

5. Patience is bitter, but it has a sweet fruit.

6. Money is the root of all evil: poverty is the fruit of all goodness.

7. You are easy on the eyes, but hard on the heart.

In literature, writers employ antithesis not only in sentences, but also in characters and events. Thus, its use is extensive.

A literary device, like antithesis, uses words to convey ideas in different ways from the common words and expressions of daily life. Thus, it conveys meaning more vividly than ordinary speech. When contrasting ideas are brought together, the idea is expressed more emphatically.

As a literary device, antithesis makes contrasts in order to examine pros and cons of a subject under discussion, and helps to bring forth judgment on that particular subject.

List of references:

1. "Antithesis". The Columbia Encyclopedia. Columbia University Press.

2. Nick Skellon, "Antithesis: examples and definition," Speak Like A Pro. 2013

3. https://literarydevices.net/antithesis/

4. https://dictionary.cambridge.org/ru/словарь/английский/antithesis

5. https://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples-of-antithesis.html

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