Antiphrasis

__//Antiphrasis//__


 * D** **efinition::** //Antiphrasis,// the use of a word in a sense opposite its proper meaning, especially ironically.


 * Origin::** From the Greek, "opposite" and "diction"[[image:quantum_physics.jpg width="211" height="149" align="right"]]

Definition taken from (wikipedia.org).

1) "The counselor nodded sagely. 'When did your husband first begin to exhibit quantum behavior?' he asked." ("The First Session" by Will Dowd).
 * Examples** from text:
 * This is an example of Antiphrasis because the word "quantum" usually refers to a branch of physics that provides a mathmatical solution for waves and energy. However, in this story, it describes her husband, who is a physicist, and therefore its meaning is opposite to its usual or proper meaning.

2) "It must be understood that neither by word nor deed had I given Fortunado cause to doubt my good will. I continued, as was my wont, to smile in his face, and he did not perceive that my smile now was as the thought of his immolation." (//The Cask of Amontillado// by Edgar Allen Poe).
 * In this short excerpt, we can see the irony within the name of "Fortunado." The narrator of the story (Montressor) plans to get revenge upon Fortunado and ultimately destroy him. However, the name of Fortunado suggests luck and good fortune, which is completely opposite to what Montressor has in store for him later in the story. Therefore, his name is used in a sense opposite to its proper meaning by being used very ironically. Also in the story, Montressor tricks Fortunado into following him into his cellar by playing with his weakness for alcohol. He uses "reverse psychology" to suggest that their friend Luchressi knows more about the Amontillado wine than Fortunado: "As you are engaged, I am on my way to Luchressi. If anyone has a critical turn, it is he. He will tell me. . ." Fortunado then responds by saying "Luchressi cannot tell Amontillado from Sherry." Here, there is also irony because an Amontillado is actually a type of Sherry. So, it is evident that irony is a common theme and is exposed in many parts of this story, including the examples of antiphrasis that are located throughout the piece.



(MN)