Which poetic device can be seen as the juxtaposition of contrasting ideas in a balanced manner?

Antithesis is the poetic device that highlights the juxtaposition of contrasting ideas in a manner that is balanced and parallel in structure. This device allows poets and writers to present opposing concepts within the same sentence or phrase, creating a stark contrast that emphasizes their differences. For instance, a common example of antithesis is the phrase, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." Here, the contrasting ideas of "best" and "worst" are placed in opposition to one another, making the statement more impactful and thought-provoking.

This balancing act of opposing ideas not only clarifies the message but also engages the reader by inviting them to think critically about the complexities of the themes presented. In contrast, anaphora, apostrophe, and anecdote serve different functions in poetry and prose. Anaphora involves the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses, apostrophe addresses an absent or imaginary person or concept, and an anecdote shares a short and interesting story or event to illustrate a point. None of these techniques involve the balanced juxtaposition of contrasting concepts in the same way that antithesis does.