Antiphrasis.
Antiphrasis is a forme of speech which by a word exprest doth signifie
the contrary: as when the speaker sayth, wisely, or wittily,
understanding the contrary. Also to say You are alwayes my friend,
meaning, mine enemie. You are a man of great judgement, signfying
unapt and unable to judge.
The use of this figure.
The especiall use of this figure is to reprehend vice, and mock folly:
for by expressing a vertue, and signifying a vice, it
striketh the mind of the offender
with the sharpe edge of contrarie comparison, whereby he is compelled
to see the great difference between what he is, and what he ought to
be, betweene what he hath done, and what he ought to have done, and so
by looking in the cleare glasse he may be ashamed of his foule face, I
meane his souls face.
The Caution.
This figure ought not be used without some urgent cause,
1.Not to be used without great cause. |
neither is it
seemely to be used of all person in respect of the breach of duty: it
were unmeete for the sonne to say, wisely spoken
father for it were as much, as
o call his father foole: and likewise for a servant in his anger to
use this figure against his mayster, it were contrary to good maners:
and therefore these two things ought to be observed, that it be not
used without great cause, nor of any without some authoritie, or at
the least matched
3.Not included with
authoritie. |
in equalitie.
