Figures of speech: what is an antithesis?

What is an antithesis?

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The antithesis consists in bringing together two words whose meanings are opposite in a sentence or a paragraph.

By playing on contrasts, she highlights two contradictory ideas.

This is to say that it is very useful and widely used in literature: "

To conquer without peril, one triumphs without glory

" (Corneille);

"

Depending on whether you are powerful or miserable, / The court judgments will make you white or black

" (La Fontaine);

"

Without the freedom to blame, there is no flattering praise

" (Beaumarchais);

“

[…] Earthworm in love with a star;

who will give you his soul if necessary, and who is dying below when you shine above

”(Victor Hugo).

Read alsoAre you expert on figures of speech?

A figure of speech that inspires comedians

The strength that this figure of speech gives to a subject means that some authors even use it in the title of their works: Le Rouge et le Noir (Stendhal), L'Être et le Néant (Sartre), Almost nothing on almost nothing. everything (Jean d'Ormesson).

But it also seems that the very word antithesis inspires comedians,

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