Antithesis(对照修辞格)讲解

1、.,对照,Antithesis,.,Definition,Fundamentally, contrasting ideas sharpened by the use of opposite or noticeably different meaning. A Dictionary of Literary Terms The rhetorical opposing contrasting of ideas by means of grammatically paralleled arrangements of words, clauses, or sentences Websters Third

2、 New International Dictionary,.,Four Levels,1. Words Knowledge makes humble, ignorance makes proud. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add and detract. ( Abraham Lincoln: Gettysburg Address) The seed ye sow, another reaps; The wealth

3、ye find, another keeps; The robes ye weave, another wears; The arms ye forge, another bears. ( Percy Bysshe Shelley: Song to the Men of England),.,2. Phrase We find ourselves rich in goods, but ragged in spirit, reaching with magnificent precision for the moon, but falling raucous discord on earth.

4、( R. M. Nixon: Inaugural Address) The issue was simple, he declared ”The Christian believes that man came from above. The evolutionist believes that he must have come from below.” ( Advanced English, Book 1, Unit 4),.,3. Clause I know not what course others may take: but as for me, give me liberty,

5、or give me death! ( Patrick Henry) And so, my fellow American, ask not what your country can do for you ask what you can do for your country. ( John F. Kennedy: Inaugural Address) 4. Sentences An optimist sees an opportunity in every calamity, a pessimist sees a calamity in every opportunity. Crafty

6、 men contemn studies; simple men admire them; and wise men use them. ( Francis Bacon: Of Studies),.,Rhetorical Effects,1. 使用antithesis这一修辞格，可以使作者对事物的判断准确有力，揭示事物本质，刻画人物生动形象，入木三分。 In order to procure a quantity of false, perishable goods, he has sold the only true, lasting good, his own independence.

7、( Gilbort Highet: Diogenes and Alexander),.,2. 可使作品语言风趣幽默。 Dickinson: ( again pounding the desk) No, sir, Englishmen! Franklin: ( He has been asleep, his chin on his chest; now an eye opens.) Please, Mr. Dickinson but must you start banging? How is a man to sleep?( Laughter) Dickinson: Forgive me, D

8、r. Franklin, but must you start speaking? How is a man to stay awake? ( Peter Stone and Sherman Edwards: 1776),.,3. 作品运用antithesis修辞格，可以揭示事物内部对立统一的辩证关系，不但加强了语势，而且因为句式平分均匀，读起来朗朗上口，记忆深刻。 It was the best of times, it was the worst of times; it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness; it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity; it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness; it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair; we had everything before us, we had nothing before us; we were