Identify the figure of speech in the following statement.

It was the best of times, It was the worst of times.

The correct answer is 'Antithesis'.

Key Points

• An antithesis, ‘anti’ – against; ‘thesis’ – placing, is a figure of speech in which one word or idea is set against another with the object of heightening the effect of what is said by contrast.
• For example: 'It was the best of times, It was the worst of times.' In this line, two ideas are set against each other.

Thus, we can say that the line is an antithesis.

Additional Information 

Some of the other figures of speech are as follows:

• Simile- The word “Simile” comes from the Latin ‘simile’ – ‘like’ and means ‘likeness’.
  • A simile is an expression of likeness between different objects or events.
  • It consists of placing two different things side by side and comparing them with regard to some quality common to them.
  • Such words of comparison as, like, as, so, etc., are always used. For example:
    • Errors like straws upon the surface flow.
    • The younger brother is as good as gold. 
• Metaphor- A metaphor is an implied simile.
  • Thus a metaphor is a compressed or implied simile – simile with the word ‘like’, ‘as’ etc., omitted. For example:
    • The camel is the ship of the desert.
    • He is the pillar of the state.
• Oxymoron- An oxymoron is the association or bringing together two words or phrases having opposite meanings. For example
  • “James, I was the wisest fool in Christendom.”
  • “That time is past, And all its aching joys are now no more, And all its dizzy raptures.”