英语修辞Antithesis,22Paradox,and23 Oxymoron

1、English Rhetoric,Figures of Opposition,Figures of Opposition,21. Antithesis 对偶,反对,对照 22. Paradox 反论、隽语 23. Oxymoron矛盾修辞法,Antithesis反对，对照See P35-37,Antithesis：from Greek, meaning opposite. Definition: Antithesis is the deliberate arrangement of contrasting words or ideas in balanced structural forms

2、to achieve force and emphasis.,Antithesis反对，对照,1) More haste, less speed. 2)Any man or state who fights on against Nazidom will have our aid. Any man or state who marches with Hitler is our foe.,Examples,3) Art is long, life is short. 学无涯，而生有涯。 4) Not that I love Caesar less, but that I love Rome mo

3、re. 不是因为我不爱凯撒，而是因为我更爱罗马。,Examples,5) Penny wise, pound foolish. 小事精明，大事糊涂。 6) Speech silver, silence golden. 言语是银，沉默是金。,Examples,7) It was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness; it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of doubtfulness;,Continued,it was the season of light, it was the

4、season of darkness; it was the spring of Hope, it was the winter of Despair. -Charles Dickens: A Tale of Two Cities,metaphor, antithesis,这是智慧的年代， 这是愚蠢的年代； 这是信仰的时期， 这是 怀疑的时期； 这是光明的季节， 这是黑暗的季节； 这是希望之春， 这是失望之冬。,22. Paradox反论、隽语,Definition: A paradox is a figure of speech consisting of a statement or pr

5、oposition which on the face of it seems self-contradictory, absurd or contrary to established fact or practice, but which，,Paradox反论、隽语,on further thinking and study， may prove to be true, well-founded, and even to contain a succinct/concise point. （隽语或似非而是的隽语， “自相矛盾的话”。表面看来自相矛盾,不合逻辑, 荒谬,与常理有悖， 但仔细想

6、来， 实际上含有真理， 意味深长。）,Examples,1) More haste, less speed. 2) You are in true freedom only when you are bound. 3) The more we read, the less we know.,Examples,4) Idleness is a luxury. (Advise us not to idle away our time, for either idleness or luxury is a waste.),Examples,5) The water that bears the bo

7、at is the same that swallows it up. (Water can be used to serve people, but it can also be a disaster.),Examples,6) Youth is wasted on the young. (By Bernard Shaw) ( Advise us to seize every day and hour when we are young, for it is very easy for young people to waste time.),Examples,7) Homeless, we

8、 try to make home everywhere. 8) I cant agree with you more.,Examples,9) In fact, it appears that the teachers of English teach English so poorly largely because they teach grammar so well. 10) Mistakes are often the best teachers.,Examples from our text: P. 207-209,1) A good example of a paradox is

9、 in this passage from Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet. When Juliet, finding out who Romeo is, expresses her feelings in this way:,Examples from our text:,Nurse: His name is Romeo, and a Montague, The only son of your great enemy. Juliet: My only love sprung from my only hate Too early seen unknown, an

10、d known too late!,Examples from our text: P. 207-209,2) My heart leaps up when I behold/look at a rainbow in the sky: So was it when my life began, So is it when I am a man, So be it when I shall grow old Or let me die!,My heart leaps up (continued),The Child is father of the Man And I could wish my

11、 days be Bound each to each by natural piety.,Translation:,当我看到天上的彩虹， 我的心情激荡； 我幼年时曾这样， 现在我成年了还是这样， 当我年老了也这样， 否则让我死亡！ 孩子是成人的父亲， 但愿我的一生永远不失自然虔诚。,Analysis of the poem:,At the first reading, one is struck by the absurdity of the statement: The Child is father of the Man. How is that possible?,Analysis o

12、f the poem,On deeper study of the poem, however, one can deduce that Wordsworth meant that ones spiritual love of things natural begins from infancy and develops through manhood to death.,23. Oxymoron矛盾修辞法See P209-212,An oxymoron is a compressed paradox, formed by the conjoining of two contrasting,

13、contradictory or incongruous terms, as in:,Oxymoron矛盾修辞法,bitter-sweet memories -痛苦而又甜蜜的记忆 proud humility -骄傲的谦虚 Orderly chaos -有秩序的混乱,Oxymoron矛盾修辞法,An oxymoron can be formed in various ways, the most common being the following.,Adj. + noun,(1) cowardly hero (2) sweet sorrow (3) He is a clever fool.

14、(4) Love is a sweet torment. (5) This is his featureless feature.,1) adj. + noun,(6) a living death -活着的死人 (7) conspicuous absence -显而易见的缺勤 (8) tearful joy -含泪的喜悦 (9) jarring concord -不和谐的一致,1) adj. + noun,(10) Healthy junk foods -健康垃圾食物 (11) Disciplined mob -训练有素的暴民 (12) Intimate enemies -情密的敌人 (13

15、) a victorious defeat -胜利的失败,1) adj. + noun,(14) busy idleness (15) painful pleasure (16) careful carelessness (17) successful failure,1) adj. + noun,(18) thunderous silence (19) sweet suffering (20) public secret (21) friendly hostility (22) cold politeness,2) adj. + adj.,(1) cold pleasant manner (

16、2) bitter-sweet Xmas shopping (3) poor rich guys (4) stupid and clever lies (5) cruel sweet menory,3) adv. + adj.,(1) dully bright (2) mercifully fatal (3) quietly active e.g. The kids are quietly active.,4) Verb + adv.,(1) hasten slowly (2) shine darkly,5) noun + noun,(1) a love-hate relationship,E

17、xercises,The following statements contain examples of epigram, paradox, oxymoron and antithesis. Identify them.,Exercises,1) His face were high, his lessons were light(by O. Henry) 2)In your voice, there was sweet sadness and sorrow. 3) A fool is a fine counsellor for a wise man. 4) Experience is th

18、e name everyone gives to his mistakes.,Exercises,5) O strong and long-lived death, how camest thou in? (by Donne) 6) It is no use doing what you like; you have got to like what you do. (by Churchill) 7) He that has never hoped can never despair. (by Shaw),Exercises,8) One mans terrorist is another mans freedom fighter. 9) H