antitheton

Figure Name antitheton
Source Quintilian 9.3.81; Aquil. 22 ("antitheton," "compositum ex contrariis"); Isidore 1.36.21; Sherry (1550) 56 ("antitheton," "contentio," "contencion"); Silva Rhetoricae (http://humanities.byu.edu/rhetoric/Silva.htm); Vinsauf (1967) ("contentio");
Earliest Source None
Synonyms compositum ex contrariis, contentio, the renconter, the quarreller, contencion
Etymology from Gk. anti “against” and thesis “a setting” or tithenai “to set, place”
Type Chroma
Linguistic Domain Semantic
Definition

1. A proof or composition constructed of contraries.
Antitheton is closely related to and sometimes confused with the figure of speech that juxtaposes opposing terms, antithesis. However, it is more properly considered a figure of thought (=Topic of Invention: Contraries). (Silva Rhetoricae)

2. If a mode of expression both easy and adorned is desired, set aside all the techniques of the dignified style and recourse to means that are simple, but of a simplicity that does not shock the ear by its rudeness. Here are the rhetorical colours with which to adorn your style: (Vinsauf)

2. (Contentio) There are other figures to adorn the meaning of words. All of these I include in the following brief treatment: when meaning is adorned, this is the standard procedure. ... ((9) contentio) [by contentio] I institute a comparison in which the positions set forth are antithetical to each other. (Vinsauf)

Example

1. Flattery hath pleasant beginnings, but the same hath very bitter endings. — R. Sherry (qtd. in Silva Rhetoricae)

2. He who was rich became poor; he who was happy, wretched; he who enjoyed such radiance was thrust back into darkness. (Vinsauf)

2. ((9) contentio (antithesis)) It may be that no mortal thing disturbs them, yet while this stands against them the death of the soul results from one sin as well as from many. (Vinsauf)

Kind Of Opposition
Part Of
Related Figures antithesis, enantiosis
Notes
Confidence Unconfident
Last Editor Ashley Rose Kelly
Confidence Unconfident
Editorial Notes
Reviewed Yes
Reviewer Ashley Rose Kelly