Binary Opposition

Binary opposition describes 2 pieces of material or terms that are the exact opposite in meaning. It is the system in which 2 things are presented as direct opposites, through the use of language or context.

Binary opposition examples:


-Hot/cold
-Dark/light
-Good/evil
-Hero/villain
-Happy/angry

Binary opposition can be used particularly effectively in films and media. Such as in a film, a great story can be told using two characters that are binary opposites, such as they both come from completely different backgrounds, share different views on things and have differing personalities. This is just an idea but helps to explain the term  and its meaning.