ANTITHESIS: CHARACTERISTICS, WHEN TO USE, EXAMPLES - LITERATURE - 2024

The antithesis is a rhetorical figure that fulfills the function of opposing or contrasting two phrases or premises. To carry out the opposition, it uses antonyms or sentences that specify an opposite meaning, said antonyms or implemented sentences are close to each other and their conformation is similar.

Etymologically, the word "antithesis" has its origin in the Greek word ἀντίθεσις (antithesis). The prefix anti means: "against", "opposition", "contrary"; while the root thesis means: "opinion", "conclusion", "position". Hence, antithesis, in its basic sense, means "to oppose an opinion."

This confrontation of criteria that the antithesis procures has the fundamental objective of emphasizing the meaning of an idea to better understand its meaning. It is considered one of the most used logical thinking resources when formulating conjectures and inferences regarding a topic.

It is necessary not to confuse the rhetorical figure of the antithesis with two other well-known ones: the oxymoron and the paradox. Although the three terms are related, they have very specific differences.

The oxymoron is used to generate a contradiction between two words, such as: "horrendous beauty". For its part, the paradox seeks to go against logic, linking two premises that are totally contradictory to each other but that keep a great truth deep down. A clear example would be: "The warm drink cooled my insides."

characteristics

Opposition of two statements in the same person

This is something that is extremely common in the members of the human race; man by nature is a contradictory being. As life is presented to the human being, their opinions and visions change.

It is normal for a man to contrast his own ideas on a daily basis to purify and stay with the one that gives him the best results. More normal in human behavior is to contradict the truths or statements of others in order to impose their line of thought.

In this coming and going of oppositions of truths, societies, their laws and customs have been forged, and these in turn have been forging their individuals.

The most pragmatic ideas are those that have prevailed, without ceasing to have one or another rival that is presented by mere human condition.

Opposition of personalities and / or behaviors

Another very common aspect that revolves around the applicability of the antithesis is the fact that it is used to compare a person whose behaviors and / or behaviors are totally opposite to those of another individual.

It is common to hear phrases such as: "You are totally different from your father, his antithesis in person!", Or "I wish you were like Pedro and behaved well, but no, you behave horrible, you are the complete opposite of him!"

There is a latent need in the human being to compare things, since childhood it is evident. Children can be seen when playing that, even when they seem to have no conscience, they compare and measure their toys.

From an early age, behaviors that are refined over time can be perceived until the creation of contrasts and setbacks.

Another common example within this characteristic is the typical discrepancy that is usually made between couples, usually by third parties: “They are polar opposites, in short; she is impulsive and dominant, he is withdrawn and submissive. Such for which! ”.

Seeks to reinforce an idea and can create a new one

Certainly the key objective of antithesis is to strengthen one argument by opposing it with another; this is, in fact, its conceptual underpinning.

However, it may turn out that this opposition that arises, in addition to being able to consolidate the premise that is wanted, has as a consequence the appearance of a third appreciation that amounts to a synthesis of the two previous proposals.

In his dialectic, Hegel put it that way. He saw the antithesis as a supplementary resource of the thesis and that the union of both allowed the flowering or the appearance of a third concept that, in addition to summarizing the premises that gave rise to it, also possessed the best of these.

Reinforces complex thinking

The conception of an antithesis forces the subject who elaborates it to generate firm and logical reasonings that serve to contradict the basic idea. This exercise requires a precise argumentation product of the complete analysis of the properties of the main premise.

When done repeatedly, the qualities and cognitive capacities of those who apply this rhetorical figure increase exponentially. This resource is of great value for the development of eloquence and, therefore, the interrelation with the masses.

The improvement of complex thinking optimizes the perception of the environment and the generation of responses to the problems that arise on a daily basis, which, directly, also affects the improvement of the production of antitheses.

Accompanied by adversative conjunctions

As the basic objective of an antithesis is to oppose an idea or premise, from the grammatical and oratory point of view it is necessary that it be preceded by an adversative conjunction. This reinforces the discourse and allows the proposal to be made to be perceived from the beginning as contrary.

"But", "however", "nevertheless", "on the contrary" and "in counterpart", are examples of these conjunctions, which can be used when developing an antithesis.

When is it used?

Generally speaking, antithesis is used to refute a proposition, one's own or someone else's. It is implemented when it is considered that someone's intervention or opinion is not in harmony with reality or collides with the perspective that one has of reality.

It is necessary to adopt appropriate language when making a public rebuttal. If congruent and affable words are not used, it may result that the contrast emitted is not well received by the interlocutor or interlocutors; this if it is the manifestation of an antithesis in an open conversation.

In the preparation of scientific texts it is also recommended. It is present especially if what is going to be raised contradicts and improves past ideas. The presence of antitheses is very common in the field of physics, where a large number of theories continually surface. Einstein himself refuted and received refutations on more than one occasion.

It is a figure of inexhaustible utility; if used wisely it can open many doors. However, if its qualities are abused, it can wear out the communicative environment, causing noise.

Examples

-A clear example of the antithesis would be the writing by the poet Rubén Darío: "When I want to cry I don't cry and, sometimes, I cry without wanting to."

-Sound of silence.

-The lanterns went out and the crickets lit up (Federico García Lorca).

-Hatred and love reign miserably our lives.

-Feliciano adores me and I hate him; Lisardo hates me and I adore him.

-This sculpture is old, but it looks modern.

-Day and night bring your fresh perfume back home.

References

1. García Asensio, M. (2005). Spanish language: descriptive and normative aspects in oral and written uses. Spain: Books Google. Recovered from: books.google.co.ve
2. Antithesis. (S. f.). (n / a): Wikipedia. Recovered from: es.wikipedia.org
3. Etymology of antithesis. (S. f.). Argentina: ETI. Recovered from: etimologias.dechile.net
4. Examples of antithesis. (2015). (n / a): Rhetorics. Recovered from: rhetoricas.com
5. Romera, A. (S. f.). Antithesis. (n / a): Rhetoric. Recovered from: rhetorica.librodenotas.com