Figures based on Difference

       Figures based on Difference 

1. Antithesis:  In this figure of Speech contrasted ideas are set against each other in a balanced form for the sake of emphasis. 

Examples: 

I. United we stand , divided we fall 

II. Better to reign in hell than to serve in Heaven. 

In the above examples the two sets of ideas 'united' and 'divided' are set for the sake of emphasizing the idea that United we stand. Similarly, the opposite ideas of 'reign' and 'serve' are placed for sake of emphasizing the idea of 'reigning'. 

2. Epigram: Epigram is an apparent contradiction in language which though causes a temporary shock but upholds an important meaning underneath. 

Examples: 

I. Our enemy is our greatest helper. 

II. The best riches of a man is the ignorance of wealth. 

In the above examples "enemy is our helper" though initially causes a shock but it holds a meaning that by putting us into challenges the enemy takes out the best in us and lead us through further improvements. Similarly, the greatest riches of a man is when he knows that wealth is transient and therefore, is able to live a life of happiness and peace. 

3. Oxymoron: Oxymoron is an extreme form of epigram in which two opposite words are placed side by side and creates a juxtaposition of contradictory words. 

Examples: 

I. Darkness visible. 

II. She maintains a carefully careless look. 

In the above examples the opposite words darkness and visible when placed side by side creates the meaning that the only thing which is visible is darkness. Similarly, a careless look has been created with a lot of care. 

4. Climax: Climax is a figure of Speech in which a series of words or sentiments is presented in such a way that the least impressive of them comes first, and there is a regular gradation from it to the most impressive.

Examples: 

I. He came, He saw, He conquer. 

II. A heart to resolve , a head to contrive and a hand to execute.

In the above examples the statements like came, saw and conquer and then resolve, contrive and execute are made in an ascending order of importance. 

5. Anti-climax/ Bathos: Bathos is a figure of speech in which the lofty thoughts fall  to mean thoughts often exciting a sense of the ludicrousness. 

Examples: 

I. No louder shrieks to pitying heaven are cast, 

When husbands, or when lapdogs breathe their last

II. I die, I faint, I fall.

In the above examples the statements husbands and lapdogs; die, faint and fall consists a sudden fall from lofty to mean thoughts and excites a ludicrousness. 

6. The condensed sentence: In this figure of Speech two different ideas are brought together in such a way that each one of them should ordinarily receive a separate statement.

Examples: 

I. She dropped a tear and her pocket-handkerchief. 

II. The sailors came to the court of Elizabeth with riches and the prospect of colonization. 

In the above examples, each of the statements a tear and pocket-handkerchief separately goes with the word drop and riches and prospect of colonization applies individually to the coming of the sailors at the court of Elizabeth.

Exercises 

1. There is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about.

Ans.Epigram 

2.Out of the frying pan and into the fire!

Ans. Climax 

3.He lost the war and the monkey.

Ans. The Condensed sentence 

4. Hope for the best; prepare for the worst.

Ans. Antithesis 

5. He is at once the statesman, the minister and the buffoon of the state.

Ans. Anti-climax 

6. Keep your mouth closed and your eyes open.

Ans. Antithesis 

7. No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.

Ans. Epigram 

8.We'll hear him, we'll follow him, we'll die with him

Ans. Climax 

9. If you think that's bad, it gets worse.

Ans. Climax

10. To infinity, and beyond!

Ans. Climax

11. Lalita left her child and the shoe forlorn on the road.

Ans. The Condensed Sentence 

12. The sun is daily new and old.

Ans. Epigram

13. Let a man acknowledge his obligations to himself, his family, his country, and his God.

Ans. Climax

14. At one fell swoop, he lost his wife, his children and his dog.

Ans. Anti-climax 

15. The state is known for the lawless law.

Ans. Oxymoron 

16. A way to indulge in thoughtless thoughts is an art. 

Ans. Oxymoron