...Antithesis in A Midsummer Night’s Dream In Shakespeare's play A Midsummer Night's, there are a lot of themes that are evident. Some of these themes included order, disorder, reality, dream, harmony, enmity, amity, harmony, and dissonance are just to name a few. Normally, none of these themes would even be present at the same time because of their contrasting nature and the fact that they are complete opposites. However, the fact that not only are these themes present at the same time, but they even interact with one another inside of the play to create events within the play is the epitome of antithesis. Shakespeare even includes character antitheses that intertwine with the themes. Furthermore, in A Midsummer Night's Dream the main overshadowing theme is the concept of antithesis because the fact that all of the themes present in the play have opposites that can be clearly be seen and the fact that Shakespeare places next to each other in contrasting beauty show antithesis. In this play, none of these themes would exist without their opposites. Initially, one of the examples of antithesis, and probably the most prevalent, in A Midsummer Night's Dream is the theme of disorder and its companion order. Disorder is a dominant theme in this play because it is seen on nearly every page and in many aspects of the play. In most cases, the disorder is cause by the fairies. These fairies are part of the dream world that actually controls the real world. One of the main fairies that...
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...He begins the address by saying “We observe today not a victory of party but a celebration of freedom – symbolizing an end as well as a beginning signifying renewal as well as change (Paragraph 1).” This is declared at the beginning to show that it isn’t important that his party won; what is important is the progression and influence of democracies around the world. This shows Kennedy’s common interest with the American people. It is showing that though he wants better relations with the Soviet Union, he is still a supporter of freedom, democracy, capitalism and rights. There are numerous other examples of antithesis, such as when he says that they need to create a new attempt to create “not a new balance of power, but a new world of law (paragraph 20).” The 1960’s were a terrifying time for America and the western world, but with carefully chosen diction, cleverly placed rhetoric, promises of protection and an optimistic view for the future, he created a thin blanket of hope across America. He showed the Soviets that he wouldn’t allow them to enforce their political views on others, but also showed them he wanted to work with them, not against them. Kennedy’s great inaugural address was a wonderful speech, possibly one of the best ever made by any US president, reaching out to millions of people, not just in the US, but around the...
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...The Secret Sharer written by Joseph Conrad, centers around a character of a sea captain. Its title and opening paragraphs forecast a story of mystery, isolation, duality, darkness and silence. The novel proves true these predictions reveling thematic and image patterns directly proportional to them. The opening of the novel further reveals dialectics in the novel. The clash between the private and the public world or man versus society, in other words is the primary dialectic. The journey theme or the rite of passage theme also reveal themselves. We see a young and inexperienced captain grow and explore himself and the world around him, and in the process becoming a functional member of a society. The novella may be only fifty pages long but its words speak volumes. The first indication of a course that a novel may take is its title. The three little words contained in the title give rise to many interpretations. An image generated by the title could be that of a gossip. Since a gossip is someone who tells people’s secrets, or in other words is a secret sharer if the word secret is taken for a noun, it is a possibility that this image might come to mind. Another image is that of a person who shares in secrecy, therefore becoming a secret sharer, if the word secret is taken for an adjective. This could be an image of a miser, who generally does not share his wealth, but does so only in secrecy. A secret sharer could also be an imaginary friend. It would be a person who is secretive...
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...What he used to create a larger thesis, he used a rhetorical device called antithesis, meaning the “opposite” or having two opposite ideas together to make a contrast effect. Thoreau writes his antithesis from two juxtaposed parts: government is bad and the virtuous man is...
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...method of argument for resolving disagreements. His method of arriving at the truth by the exchange of logical arguments is a system of thought process still use to this day. To put it simply, the basis of Hegelianism dictates that the human mind can’t understand anything unless it can be split into two polar opposites. Good / Evil, Right / Wrong, Left / Right. For example when people are talking about 2 political parties, Labor or Liberal, what they’re actually referring to, without realising it, is the thesis and the antithesis based off the Hegelian Dialectic. The only real debate that occurs is just the minor differences between those two parties. Nothing is said or done about the issues that neither left or right is discussing. This in particular will become more apparent as the election draws near. The Hegelian Principle is a process intended to produce Oneness of Mind through a process of 1) thesis: embodying a particular view or position; 2) antithesis: providing an opposing or contrary position; and 3) synthesis: which reconciles the two previous positions and then becomes the basis of a new thesis…in accordance with the laws of dialectical materialism. In theory, through a continual process of evolution, Oneness of Mind is achieved. This process can also be used to 1) create crisis, 2) opposition to crisis, to 3) effect the wanted solution. The purpose of the dialectic method of reasoning is resolution of disagreement through rational discussion, and, ultimately...
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...Hegel would rather say that self-consciousness is contradictory rather than particular things. He claims that transcendental idealism posits that the contradictions between the thesis and the antithesis is not a contradiction that is found in the World, but rather pertains only to the subject, or thought itself.1 Hegel then claims that it is the not the things in consciousness that are contradictory, such as necessity and freedom as uncaused causality, but that self-consciousness is contradictory itself.2 When we experience these contradictions, we do not experience the ego disappearing as a result of this contradictions. These contradictions are therefore not really troubling to us, precisely because we can manage this...
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...them into their own lives. Many psychologists and philosophers have also seen this and have done research to see why this has come to be. George Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, a philosopher, began to research the duality of human nature before this story was even written; he concluded that every conflict has a thesis, antithesis, and synthesis. Hegel is easily able to explain the story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr.Hyde by using his own Hegelian Dialectic. In the story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Dr. Jekyll is determined to find a way to let his alter ego; his other personality, the evil Mr. Hyde allows Dr. Jekyll to release the anger that he keeps in that are caused by the social ‘norms’ that are present in this time period. In comparison Dr. Jekyll is seen as being a cultures young man that had many of the characteristics or a well to do man in the Victorian time period. Mr. Hyde on the other hand is seen as vulgar, disrespectful and is seen as a monster throughout the book. Both personalities of Dr. Jekyll try and balance each other out but are not able to which leads to the ultimate self destruction of both. The idea of the Hegelian Dialect, that everything have a thesis, antithesis, as well as synthesis can be seen throughout the book as a reflection of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. One of the first impression that we receive of Jekyll is how much education he has. The author first brings up Jekyll when Mr. Utterson, Jekyll’s friend who is a lawyer, sits down to look over Jekyll’s will. You...
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...1 LIBERTY UNIVERSITY BABPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY THE PEACE MAKING PASTOR: A BIBLICAL GUIDE TO RESOLVING CHURCH CONFLICT A REPORT SUBMITTED TO DR. DONALD HICKS BY JAMES E. JORDAN LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA AUGUST 11, 2011 2 Contents Introduction Biblical Background Antithesis Examination God-ward Perspective Conclusion Bibliography 3 3 4 5 5 7 3 Introduction In this report, I will examine an example where conflict is the substance of the text within the Bible. I will discuss how the story unfolds and demonstrate the antithesis between the children of God and the children of Man. Antithesis is defined as “contrast or opposition.”1 I will also discuss God-ward perspective in relation to conflict. Biblical Background “For the wages of sin is death: but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23 [KJV]). This verse out of the book of Romans is a clear example of antithesis within the Bible. When the entire book of Romans is reviewed it is obvious that the author of this letter to Rome is Paul (Romans 1:1; [KJV]). Paul writes this letter to the Romans somewhere between the times of A.D. 55 and 58 and occurred “during his third missionary journey.”2 It is rightly placed first among the Epistles because it is the most complete exposition in the New Testament of the central truths of Christianity. Paul needed to visit the Roman Christians and his desire to communicate to them the great doctrines of grace that...
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...with the most prevalent of those being the theme of conformity/rebellion. This theme is established through the use of literary devices such as antithesis, symbolism, and imagery. The first device that helps enhance the theme of conformity/rebellion in “Living Like Weasels” is antithesis, which is a strong contrast between two things. Antithesis is subtly evident, first, towards the beginning of the essay, where it is stated that “under every bush is a muskrat hole or a beer can” (Dillard). This quote is an example of antithesis because it demonstrates the idea of man vs. animal or society vs. nature and their differences, which is to tie into the theme later on in the essay. It is later stated that “the weasel lives in necessity and we [humans] live in choice, hating necessity and dying at the last ignobly in its talons” (Dillard), which expresses just how different the human way of life is from that of an animal’s. This is an example of antithesis because it shows the contrast between man and nature. Considering the fact that the author then proceeds to say that “[she] would like to live as [she] should, as the weasels lives as he should” (Dillard), this shows just how much she, if she were to truly do this and begin living by necessity rather than choice, would be rebelling against society’s norms. Therefore, the use of antithesis in Dillard’s essay assists in transmitting the theme of rebellion/conformity. The second device of which is helpful in advancing the essay’s theme...
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...John F. Kennedy was the 35th President of the United States. In the Inaugural Address of President John F. Kennedy, he uses many rhetorical devices, like antithesis, parallelism, repetition, alliteration, metaphor, and so on to illustrate his idea. JKF also made good choices of the use of the words. His speech faces not only the entire American citizens, but also the people all over the world. JFK performed this speech in January 20, 1961. At that time, the cold war was lasting. The world is mainly divided into two hostile camps,...
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...you that speeches are meaningless, point them in the direction of influential presidential speakers such as President John F. Kennedy. His Inaugural Address, given at the height of the cold war, intended to focus not only a nation but the world out of war and into peace, it was so influential and powerful that many people remember it to this day. In his address Kennedy used rhetorical devices such as antithesis, appeals to emotion, and antimetabole to persuade his audience to the idea of peace and not war. JFK was a man that never used a five dollar word where a ten cent one would do. He was a man of simple words and plain speaking. His inaugural speech was also fairly short and to the point. Kennedy begins by using antithesis and describes his presidential victory as “symbolizing an end, as well as a beginning - - signifying renewal, as well as change” (Kennedy 1961). This emphasizes the importance of his winning of the presidential election and his hopes of bringing peace, prosperity and liberty not only to America but to all nations. Later in his address he also uses antithesis when he...
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...vengeance on his father’s death and seek revenge on Claudius for his father’s murderer. True this can be seen as a "tragedy" but Hamlet isn't just any tragedy—it's a classic and revengeful tragedy! One literary device that Shakespeare uses in this particular play is antithesis. Antithesis is contrary ideas expressed in a balanced sentence. He uses this literary device when he writes, “To be, or not to be, that is the question” (Barnet, Burto, & Cain, 2014). He is expressing opposite ideas of being or not being, living or dying. Another, antithesis example in Hamlet, is when Claudius asks Hamlet about the clouds. Hamlet replies, “Too much in the sun” (Barnet, Burto, & Cain, 2014). Hamlet contrasts imagery of clouds to rain and storms. Also the grief to imagery of sun to joy and happiness. As he does this sarcastically, he also puns the word “sun” with “son” as he is bitter about losing his father and having Claudius as his new “father.” Shakespeare uses these antitheses to heighten the drama and describe the relationship between these two men. Hamlet is able to draw attention to the fact that he does not directly answer his uncle’s questions, but is able to describe his feelings instead by using antithesis. This antithesis shows that Hamlet is...
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...Barack Obama’s victory speech After four years of criticism against Barack Obama, won the status as president for the next four years, despite an unemployment rate of 7,8 %. Because of Obama’s inability to move America forward. These four years, a period of economical decline, has concluded people have lost their home, and been kicked out on the streets. The American people have lost their trust. With four years of despair, Barack Obama managed to be reelected as president. Barack Obama had to make a victory speech to regain, a normally optimistic American people, believe. He did so, by reminding the American people, as one nation the United States can come out strong on the other side of the global financial crisis. I will discuss which rhetorical features Obama have used to regain the American people trust and believe. Barack Obama is a rhetorical genius. He uses a non-formal language so every citizen in the US can understand Barack Obama’s victory speech. He appears emphatic by appealing to emotions. “And I saw just the other day, in Mentor, Ohio, where a father told the story of his 8-year-old daughter…. Had it not been for health care reform passing just a few months before the insurance company was about to stop paying for her care.” ll. 33-36. He uses the appeal form to emotions, pathos, and therefore gets the people of America attention by using a touching story, about a young girl fighting leukemia. It is an every parent’s nightmare, facing your child struggle...
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...1. Allegory -An allegory is a symbolism device where the meaning of a greater, often abstract, concept is conveyed with the aid of a more corporeal object or idea being used as an example. Usually a rhetoric device, an allegory suggests a meaning via metaphoric examples. 2. Alliteration -Alliteration is a literary device where words are used in quick succession and begin with letters belonging to the same sound group. Whether it is the consonant sound or a specific vowel group, the alliteration involves creating a repetition of similar sounds in the sentence. Alliterations are also created when the words all begin with the same letter. Alliterations are used to add character to the writing and often add an element of ‘fun’ to the piece.. 3. Allusion -An allusion is a figure of speech whereby the author refers to a subject matter such as a place, event, or literary work by way of a passing reference. It is up to the reader to make a connection to the subject being mentioned. 4. Amplification -Amplification refers to a literary practice wherein the writer embellishes the sentence by adding more information to it in order to increase its worth and understandability. When a plain sentence is too abrupt and fails to convey the full implications desired, amplification comes into play when the writer adds more to the structure to give it more meaning. 5. Anagram -Anagrams are an extremely popular form of literary device wherein the writer jumbles up parts of the...
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...never been a speech that was not extremely powerful and memorable, and John F. Kennedy’s is no exception. Through the use of rhetoric, he was able to clearly describe his plan of cooperation, peace, and camaraderie to the nation. Kennedy’s large uses of antithesis parallelism, as well as sentence structure are the backbones to the success of his speech. Kennedy utilizes parallelism in order to convey his points in a successful manner throughout his speech. In several...
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