Paradox: know this figure of speech

O paradox it is present in the language of some people, but mainly in cultural productions. It is an intentional contradiction of terms to translate an idea through a particular expression. This is a characteristic of thought figures, in which paradox is classified.

However, it is not the same as the antithesis. This, in turn, is just the approximation of words or terms with opposite ideas in the same sentence to give more intensity to what you want to express.

We've already seen about the antithesis. Now, let's go to the examples of paradox, and from there, let's differentiate these two figures of thought.

examples of paradox

Compare these two sentences from the example:

“Between slaps and kisses, our wedding follows”;
"Your kiss on my mouth was a slap to my face."

Which one do you think is the antithesis and which one do you believe is the paradox. The first sentence is an antithesis because of the approximation between two contrasting words. One means violence and the other denotes love. A contrast experienced in this love relationship.

The second example is a paradox in that it is said in the form of a contradiction precisely to represent that that act that would have been love, in fact, was something offensive to the person who received the kiss. Furthermore, the second example can also be classified as a metaphor (click here).

managed to understand the difference? So, let's now follow this other example:

"The dog planned to steal his owner's food."

This phrase can be classified in two ways, all as figures of thought: paradox and personification. The latter consists of attributing something rational to an irrational being, as when we talk to our animals and ask them to respond.

However, as the phrase seems to be completely contradictory, as a dog has no logical reasoning, it is also classified as a paradox. Thus, an irrational animal does not think logically and therefore does not plan anything. However, one has to agree with how "Machiavellian" the animal can be because he had waited for the owner to distract herself so that she could take the food off her plate. The contradiction in the statement was intended to highlight the “smartness” of the animal.

Paradox can also be similar to another figure of thought which is irony. Example:

“This donkey is very smart”;
“You managed to get a low grade in the easiest subject. You are so clever".

In the first example, which can also be classified as personification, it is a contradiction for an animal to be intelligent.

In the second example, the fact that a person could not get satisfactory grades in the easiest subject earned him the label of “smart”. The second example can be both a paradox and an irony (click here).

The following examples do not resemble antithesis, irony or personification:

“Only now that I'm blind can I see who you are”;
“Want to fly so high without putting his feet off the ground first”;
“You are so poor that the only thing you have is money”;
"He is a real liar."