Antithesis is a rhetorical device that contrasts opposing ideas within a balanced structure. It highlights differences by placing contrasting concepts in close proximity, often using parallelism. For example, in the phrase "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times," the contrasting ideas emphasize the complexity of a situation.
This technique is commonly used in literature, speeches, and everyday language to create emphasis and provoke thought. Famous examples can be found in the works of writers like Charles Dickens and William Shakespeare, where antithesis enhances the emotional impact and clarity of their messages.