What Is the Meaning of Antithetical?

Antithesis is a literary device.

Antithesis is a literary and rhetorical device or figure of speech. While that may sound complicated, the concept of antithesis is simple: it literally means "opposite." Antithesis is used in everything from fairy tales to the Bible, always to illustrate a contrast, controversy or difficulty. It's also used in everyday speech; you have probably been using it yourself without realizing it.

Significance

Antithesis comes from the Greek word "antitithenai," which means "setting opposite." Antithesis is used to show an obvious contrast between two things. For example, silence is the opposite of noise: silence is antithetical to noise. Antithesis is also used in rhetoric, poetry and literature, where it sets up a contrast within a single sentence. A modern example of antithesis is the words of Neil Armstrong when he first set foot on the moon: "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."

Antithesis in Fairy Tales

One common example of antithesis is in the fairy tale of Snow White. In this story, Snow White is opposed by a wicked witch. The witch represents everything that Snow White is not. Snow White is young, innocent, modest, kind, happy and generous; the witch is old, evil, vain, cruel, jealous, corrupt and mean. This is an antithesis that is designed to make us like Snow White and dislike the witch. Antithesis isn't always based on the contrast between good and evil, but good and evil characters like Snow White and the witch make handy illustrations of morals and lessons.

Antithesis in Rhetoric

Antithesis is also used as a rhetorical device. Sandwiching two opposing statements into a single sentence, antithesis makes for compelling speeches. Here are some examples of rhetorical antithesis:

"To err is human, to forgive, divine." - Alexander Pope

"Integrity without knowledge is weak and useless, and knowledge without integrity is dangerous and dreadful." - Samuel Johnson

"Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more." - William Shakespeare

All of these statements start by giving a "thesis" or a single idea. Then the opposite (antithesis) is presented. This makes the contrast or controversy obvious, creating a strong and compelling statement.

Biblical

Rhetorical antithesis is common in the Bible. Some of the most striking examples occur in Matthew 5:21-48, a section of the Sermon on the Mount which is sometimes called "Matthew's Antitheses." This passage encourages Christians to go above and beyond the law. It does so by stating a law, then providing an antithetical alternative. For example:

"Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you..." (Matthew 5:43-44)

"Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also." (Matthew 5:38-39)

Antithesis in Language

Interestingly, antithesis is more common in some languages than in others. The Encyclopedia Brittanica notes that French literature uses antithesis more frequently than English literature, and that it is almost never used in German.

References

• Examples Help: Antithesis
• Encyclopedia Brittanica, 11th, Ed.: Antithesis
• Margaret D. Zulick, Wake Forest University: On Antithesis and Syncrisis