Figures of Speech Figures of speech are departures from the direct way of speaking or writing, intended to explain, emphasize, elucidate or embellish what is being said. They are chiefly used in poetry for the sake of vividness. They are also used in prose especially in public speeches to give added effect or beauty to what is said. The figures of speech may be divided into five sections: I. Figures based on Similarity or Likeness. They are: (1) Simile (3) Personification
(2) Metaphor (4) Apostrophe
II. Figures based on Contrast, Difference or Surprise. They are: (1) Antithesis (3) Oxymoron (5) Euphemism
(2) Epigram (4) Irony (6) Litotes
III. Figures based on Association or Substitution. They are: (1) Metonymy
(2) Synecdoche
IV. Figures based on Construction or Arrangement of words. They are: (1) Interrogation (3) Climax (5) Hyperbole (7) Tautology
(2) Exclamation (4) Anticlimax (6) Transferred Epithet
V. Figures based on Sound. They are: (1) Pun (3) Onomatopoeia
(2) Alliteration
1. BASED ON SIMILARITIES
(1) Simile. Simile is a figure in which a comparison is made between objects of different kinds, which are alike at least in one point. In this figure words like, as or like are always used. Suresh is as strong as a lion. Helen was like a lovely rose.
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Note: Comparison between two objects of the same kind is not a simile but a simple comparison. e.g.,
Smith is as clever as Henry. Other Examples: (i) The Assyrian came down like a wolf wolf on the fold. (ii) He looks as cheerful as a rose. (iii) He roared like a lion. (iv) (iv) It stir stirre red d the the hea heart rt as a trum trumpe pet. t. (v) (v) Curs Curses es are are lik likee chick chickens ens:: they they com comee home home to to roos roost. t. (vi) (vi) He wal walke ked d about about as pro proud ud as as a pea peaco cock ck.. (vii) (vii) His eyes eyes were were as as keen keen as an eagle eagle’s. ’s. (viii) (viii) Thy smile smile is as the dawn dawn of vernal vernal day. (ix) (ix) That That stor story y is is as as old old as the the hill hills. s.
(2) Metaphor. Metaphor is a figure of speech in which there is comparison of one thing with another without the words ‘like or as’. The resemblance is implied. e.g., (1) Ministers are the pillars pillars of the state. (2) The fairest rose in all Greece was Helen of Troy. Troy. e.g. She accepted it as the kind cruelty of the surgeon’s knife. Other Examples: (i ) (ii) (ii) (iii) (iii) (iv) (iv) (v)
He is always idly busy. Part Partin ing g is is such such swee sweett sor sorro row. w. As clear clear and still still she stood, moon-like moon-like remote remotely ly near. near. He is is an hon honour ourab able le vil villa lain in.. His honou honourr rooted rooted in in dishon dishonour our stoo stood. d. And fait faith h unfait unfaithfu hfull kept him falsely true. (vi) He is is a cheerful cheerful pessimi pessimist, st, an unwill unwilling ing volunteer. volunteer. (vii) A careless careless shoe-string shoe-string,, in whose tie I see a wild wild civility. civility. (viii) (viii) They were engaged engaged in friendly friendly strife. strife. (ix) Her mother mother,, too, upon this this occasion occasion felt a pleasing pleasing distre distress. ss. (x) (x) He is is all all faul faults ts,, who who hath hath no no faul faultt at all. all. (3) Personification. In personification inanimate objects and abstract motions are spoken of as having life and intelligence. Example: 1. In Saxon strength that Abhey frowned. 2. Laughter holding both her sides. 3. Death lays his icy hand on kings. 2
(4.) Apostrophe. An Apostrophe is a direct address to the dead, to the absent, or to a personified object or o r idea. This figure is a special form of personification.
Example: (a) Milton! Milton! Thou should’ should’st st be living living at this this home. (b) O Friend! Friend! I know not which which way I must look for, for, comfort. comfort.
II. Based on Contrast, Difference of Surprise
(1) Antithesis. In Antithesis a striking opposition or contrast of words or sentiments is made in the same sentence. It is employed to secure emphasis. Examples: 1. Man Man prope propese ses, s, God God dis dispo pose ses. s. 2. Better Better fifty fifty years of Europe Europe than a cycle cycle of cathay. cathay. 3. Give Give every every man man thy thy ear, ear, but few few thy thy voice voice.. (2) Epigram. An Epigram is a brief pointed saying frequently introducing antithetical ideas which excite surprise and arrest attention. Examples: 1. The child is father of the man. 2. Fools rush in where angles fear to tread. 3. Art lies in concealing art. 4. He makes no friend, who never made a foe. (3) Oxymoron. Oxymoron is a special form of antithesis, whereby two contradictory gralities are predicted at once of the same thing.
Examples: 1. She accepted it as the kind cruelty of the surgeon’s knife. 2. So innocent arch, so cunningly simple. (4) Irony. Irony is the use of words, the natural meaning of which is just the opposite of what is intended to be expressed. By this figure, therefore, we say one thing but mean just the opposite. e.g., For Brutus Brutus is an honourabl honourablee man; So are they all, all honourable men.
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Other Examples:
(ii) (iii)
(i) A very fine friend you are to forsake me in my trouble. He left me to the tender mercies of my enemy. He was the cleverest general that ever lost a battle. (iv) I fear fear I wrong wrong the the honourable honourable men men whose whose daggers daggers have have stabbed stabbed Caesar. (v) I will not call him a villain because it would be unparliamentary to do so. (vi) That gracious gift – a candid friend. (vii) (vii) He did his friend friend the greatest greatest possible possible harm; harm; he spoke in praise praise of him. (viii) An imposition is a pleasant holiday recreation. (ix) (ix) He is is merr merry y as a tomb tombst stone one.. (x) (x) What What a fin finee mess mess of of thin things gs you you hav havee made made!!
(5) Euphemism. Euphemism is a figure by means of which we speak in pleasing or favourable terms of an unpleasant unp leasant or bad thing. e.g. e.g.,,
He has has gon gonee the the way way of of all all fles flesh. h. Other Examples: (i) (i) That That stat statem emen entt is is an an inv inven enti tion on.. (ii) (ii) He is a quee queerr pers person on.. (iii) (iii) You are tellin telling g me a fairy fairy tale tale.. (iv) (iv) You You labo labour ur unde underr a mist mistak ake. e. (v) (v) She She has has not not the the best best of temp temper ers. s. (vi) (vi) He does does not keep very very exact exact account accounts. s. (vii) (vii) Discord Discord fell fell upon the the music music of his soul. (viii) Those expressions are omitted omitted which cannot with propriety be read aloud in the family. (ix) Yet beneath beneath the hallowed hallowed soil, soil, the peasant peasant rests rests him, him, from from his toil. toil. (x) The honour honourabl ablee member member is is indulg indulging ing in in a figmen figmentt of an excit excited ed brain.
(6) Litotes. Litotes is the use of a negative to express a strong affirmative of the opposite kind. e.g.,
(1) I am a citizen of no mean city. (2) Helen of Troy was not the ugly u gly duckling of her family.
Other Examples:
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(i) (i) He was was not not a litt little le anno annoye yed d at his his fail failur ure. e. (ii) (ii) I can can assu assure re you you he he is is no no foo fool. l. (iii) (iii) These These pens pens are not at all bad. bad. (iv) (iv) I am not not a littl littlee surpri surprised sed at at your your conduct conduct.. (v) He is is no no du dullard. (vi) (vi) He does does not look look too too pleas pleased ed.. (vii) (vii) The first first flight flight across the the Channel was no small small achievement achievement.. (viii) Johnson was not an ordinary ordinary combatant. (ix) (ix) He was was by no no means means overj overjoye oyed d at the the news. news. (x) We had had no small small diff difficu iculty lty in find finding ing his his hous house. e.
III. Based on Association or Substitution
(1) Metonymy. This means “a change of name” and is so called because in this figure a thing is spoken of not n ot by its own name, but by b y the name of some conspicuous accompaniment. e.g., (1) You must address the chair. (2) The pen is mightier than the sword. (3) The conquerors smote the city. (4) Swiftly flies the feathered death. (5) We have read Milton. (6) He is our pride. Other Examples: (i) (ii) (iii (iii)) (iv) (iv)
The schoo hool is co coming ou out. The kettle bo boils. RedRed-ta tape pe ofte often n hinde hinders rs progr progres ess. s. This This is my son, my my own Tele Telemac machus hus,, to whom whom I leave leave the the sceptr sceptree and the isle. (v) (v) Fort Forthw hwit ith h he he dra drank nk the the fat fatal al cup. cup. (vi) vi) Do not not run run in the the sun. sun. (vii) (vii) The Hous Housee of Comm Commons ons was was in in an uproa uproar. r. (viii) (viii) On American American side, platfor platform m and pulpit, spouted spouted fire. fire. (ix) (ix) He was was pla playi ying ng to the the gal galle lery ry.. (x) He trac traced ed his his career career from from the the coun countin ting-ho g-house use to the the counc council il chamber. (xi) (xi) The glorie gloriess of our blood blood and and state state are shadows shadows.. (xii) (xii) Altar, Altar, sword and pen. Firesi Fireside, de, the heroic heroic wealth wealth of of hall and bower, has forfeited their ancient English dower.
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(2) Synecdoche. Synecdoche: or “the understanding of one thing by means of another”. By this figure one noun is changed for another of a similar meaning. e.g., (1) All hands to the pump. (2) Preach the Gospel to every creature. (3) A Daniel come to judgement. (4) There is a mixture of the tiger and the ape in the character of a Frenchman. (5) All the rank and fashion came out to see the sight. (6) The marble speaks. Other Examples: (i) He lived twenty summers. (ii) I am out of humanity’s reach. (iii) He was put in irons. (iv) The mother in her was moved by my appeal. (v) Many hands made light work. (vi) My bed is under the stars. (vii) He has many many mouths to feed. (viii) He plunged the steel into his bosom. (ix) He is the Caesar of this age. (x) Happy is the home, where contentment lies in peace. IV. Based on Construction
(1) Interrogation. Interrogation is a statement thrown into the form of a question for rhetorical effect. No answer is expected to such a question. e.g., (1) Can Can Flattery Flattery soothe soothe the the dull cold ear of Death? Death? (2) Has not Helen of Troy been a beautiful woman? Other Examples: (i) (i) Why Why all all this this toil toil for for tri trium umphs phs of an hour hour?? (ii) (ii) Who is is here here so vile vile that that wil willl not love love his country country?? (iii) (iii) Seest thou thou a man dilig diligent ent in his his business? business? He He shall shall stand before before kings. (iv) Breathes there the man with soul so dead, Who never to himself himself hath said, This is my own my native land? (v) (v) Who Who is her heree so bas basee that that woul would d be a bon bondm dman an?? (vi) Do men men gather gather grapes grapes of thorns, thorns, or figs figs of thistl thistles? es? (vii) Can two talk talk together together except except they they be agreed? agreed? (viii) Can storied urn or animated animated bust Back to its mansion call call the fleeting breath? (ix) (ix) He that that forme formed d the eye, eye, shal shalll He not not see? see? (x) Who would would be be so so wicked wicked as to slay slay his own father father??
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(2) Exclamation . Exclamation is a figure in which the exclamatory form is used to draw greater attention to a point than a mere bold b old statement of it could do. e.g., e.g., (1) What What a piece piece of work workss is man! man! (2) How beautiful Helen of Troy was! Other Examples: (i) O what a fall is this, my countrymen! (ii) (ii) What What a glor glorio ious us sun sunse set! t! (iii) (iii) How bravel bravely y he met his death! death! (iv) (iv) Oh that that those those lips lips bad bad langu language! age! (v) How sweet sweet the moonli moonlight ght sleeps sleeps on this this bank! bank! (vi) (vi) O that that I had had win wings gs lik likee a dove dove:: (vii) How sweet the the merry linnet’ linnet’ss tune, How blithe blithe the blackbird’ blackbird’ss lav! (viii) O that the desert were my dwelling place! (ix) (ix) O that that I were were you young ng aga again in!! (x) O what a tangle tangled d web we weav weave, e, when when first first we prac practi tise se to decei deceive! ve! (3) Climax. Climax is a figure in which the sense rises by successive steps to what is more and more important and impressive. e.g., (1) I came, I saw, I conquered. (2) Helen was a lovely girl, the fairest maid in Greece, the most beauteous maiden in the whole world. Other Examples: (i) (ii) (iii (iii)) (iv) (iv) (v) (v) (vi) (vi)
I smile, I laugh, I roar. Grea Greatt, wide wide,, beau beauti tifful worl orld. Robb Robber er,, murd murder erer er,, patr patric icid ide. e. The The guns guns agai again n rise rise to to a las lastt fury fury,, to to a rage rage,, a lus lust. t. Simp Simple le,, ere erect ct,, sev sever ere, e, aust auster eree sub subli lime me.. There There mark mark what what ills ills the the schol scholar’ ar’ss life life assai assail, l, toil toil,, envy, envy, want want,, the the patron, and the jail. (vii (vii)) He begs begs,, he lie lies, s, he he stea steals ls,, he kil kills ls for for gol gold. d. (viii (viii)) To gossi gossip p is a fault fault ; to to libel, libel, a crime crime ; to to slander slander a sin. sin. (ix) (ix) That That cons consola olati tion, on, that that joy, joy, that that triu triumph mph was afford afforded ed to to him. him. (x) (x) At firs firstt he walk walked ed,, then then he ran, ran, and and at last last he sim simpl ply y fle flew. w. (4) Anti-Climax or Bathos. This is the opposite to Climax, and signifies a ludicrous descent from the higher to the lower. e.g.,
(1) The soldier soldier fights fights for glory and a shilling a day. day. (2) For thy sake, dear Helen, I would do anything but die!
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Other Examples: (i) (ii) (iii (iii)) (iv) (iv)
(v) (v) (vi) (vi) (vii) (vii) (viii) (viii) (ix) (ix) (x) (x)
A hero peri erish, or a sp sparrow fa fall. I die, I faint, I fail. The The wise wisest st,, Brig Bright htes est, t, mea meanes nestt of mank mankin ind. d. A man man so so vari various ous,, that that he seem seemed ed to be not not one, one, but but all all mankin mankind’s d’s epitome: Who in the course of one revolving moon was lawyer, statesman, fiddler, and buffoon. He read read me a lec lectu ture re on hones honesty ty,, gav gavee me me his his bles blessi sing ng – and and overcharged me six pence in the bill. Here, Here, thou thou great great Anna! Anna! Whom Whom three three real realms ms obey. obey. Dost Dost someti sometimes mes counsel take – and sometimes tea. On the the same same day he he lost lost his his wife, wife, his his dog, dog, and and a three three 1 penny penny bit. bit. He was was remark remarkable able for commanding commanding intelligenc intelligence, e, perfect perfect virtue, virtue, and above all a snub nose. He is is a grea greatt philo philoso soph pher er,, an astu astute te dema demagog gogue ue and and a buffo buffoon. on. And And thou, thou, Dalh Dalhous ousie ie,, the the grea greatt god god of war, war, Lie Lieut uten enant ant Colo Colone nell to the Earl of Mar.
(5) Hyperbole. Hyperbole is a greatly exaggerated statement, used mainly for effect, but not intended to be taken literally. e.g., (1) He would draw the stage with tears. (2) For one smile from Helen, I would barter ten thousand years of anguish. Other Examples: (i) (ii) (ii) (iii (iii)) (iv) iv) (v) (vi) vi) (vii (vii)) (vii (viii) i) (ix) (ix) (x) (x)
It is an age since we met. I’ve I’ve had had tho thous usan ands ds of teet teeth h tak taken en out. out. I was was bore bored d to to deat death h by his his cea cease sele less ss cha chatt tter er.. He has has tons tons and and ton tonss of of mon money ey.. All All Ind India ia was was shock hocked ed at the news news.. He is stro strong nger er than han a lion. ion. She She wept wept ocea oceans ns of tear tears. s. The The sea sea ros rosee mou mount ntai ain n high high.. The sky shrank shrank upward upward with with unusu unusual al drea dread. d. And And trembl trembling ing Tiber Tiber dived beneath his bed. All All the the perf perfum umes es of of Ara Arabi biaa will will not not swee sweete ten n this this litt little le han hand. d.
(6) Transferred Epithet. In this figure, an epithet is transferred from a word to which it properly belongs to some other word closely connected with it. e.g., e.g., He passe passed d a sleepl sleepless ess night night!!
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Other Examples: (i) (i) (ii) (ii) (iii (iii)) (iv) iv) (v) (v) (vi) (vi) (vii) (vii) (viii (viii)) (ix) ix) (x)
He toss tossed ed from from side side to side side on his his res restl tles esss pil pillo low. w. The The plo ploug ughm hman an home homewa ward rd plod plodss his his wear weary y way way.. A lack lackey ey pre prese sent nted ed an an obse obsequ quio ious us cup cup of of cof coffe fee. e. He stoo stood d upo upon n the the dizz dizzy y cli clifff. Is ther theree no no pla play y To To ease ease the the ang angui uish sh of a tor tortu turi ring ng hou hour? r? She She woul would d with with a gre greed edy y ear ear devou devourr Othe Othell llo’ o’ss disc discour ourse se.. To their their untr untravel avelled led thou thought ght,, their their villa village ge was was their their worl world. d. The pris prisone onerr was placed placed in in the cond condemn emned ed cell. cell. He leav leaves es a wea weary ry wast wastee beh behin ind. d. We had a pleasant ant time th there.
(7) Tautology. Tautology is the use of unnecessary words to express the same idea. e.g., The one sole sole survivor survivor of of the wreck wreck was a Norwegian. Norwegian. Other Examples: (i) (ii) ii) (iii (iii)) (iv) iv) (v) (vi) (vi) (vii) (vii) (viii (viii)) (ix) (ix) (x)
He dw dwelt in in lo lonely is isolation. She may agai again n reg regai ain n her her prop proper ertty. He ent enter ered ed int into o a joi joint nt par partn tner ersh ship ip wit with h Mr. Mr. X. I rej rejoi oice ced d at at the the happ happy y si sight. ght. Let us join it together. He cont contin inue ued d to to rem remai ain n my my frie friend nd.. They They retur returned ned back back agai again n to the the same same city city from from whenc whencee they they came forth. She sighed sighed a sigh sigh and and pray prayed ed a prayer prayer.. His His voi voice ce has has a tone tone of monot monotony ony and and sam samen enes ess. s. That That is qui quite evi evide dent nt and and man maniifes fest.
V. Based on sound
(1) A Pun. A Pun is a play upon words. w ords. e.g., (i) Not on on thy sole, on thy thy soul, soul, harsh harsh Jew. (ii) Nell of Troy was the death Knell of Troy. Other Examples: (i) (ii) (ii) (iii) (iii) (iv) (iv) (v) (v)
He is too too muc much h of of a bear bear,, to to bea bearr thi thiss cal calml mly y. Is life life worth worth livi living ng?? Tha Thatt dep depen ends ds upon upon the the liver liver.. An amba ambassa ssador dor is an hones honestt man man who who lies lies abroad abroad for the good good of his country. Well We ll,, Mr. Mr. Shep Shephe herd rd,, wher wheree is your your flo flock ck?? Oh! Oh! How How that that nam namee befi befits ts my comp compos osit itio ion. n. Old Old inde indeed ed and and gau gaunt nt is being old. 9
(vi) (vi) (vii (vii)) (viii (viii)) (ix) (ix)
Can a leop leopard ard change change its its spot spots? s? Yes, Yes, when it goes goes from from one spot spot to another. A boy boy who who eats eats dat dates es mak makes es goo good d use use of his his tim time. e. He kept kept his his spiri spirits ts up by by pourin pouring g spirit spiritss down. down. It shall shall be call called ed Bott Bottom’ om’ss dream dream,, becau because se it it hath hath no bott bottom. om.
(2) Alliteration. This consists in the repetition of the same letter or syllable at the beginning of two or more words. e.g., (i) Full Full fathom fathom five thy thy father father lies. lies. (ii) The loveliest lady in the llian land (Troy) was Helen. Other Examples: (i) (ii) (ii) (iii (iii)) (iv) (iv) (v) (v) (vi) (vi) (vii (vii)) (vii (viii) i) (ix) (ix) (x) (x)
The sn snake sl slept un under a sp spray. And And wav waves es of shad shadow ow went went over over the the whe wheat at.. A swe sweet et,, sad sad smi smile le the then n spre spread ad acr acros osss her her fac face. e. And And the the cow cowsl slip ip and blueblue-be bell ll are are bent bent by the the bee. bee. Exte Extens nsiv ivee harv harves ests ts hand hand the the heav heavy y head head.. Let Let love lovely ly lila lilacs cs line line Lee’ Lee’ss lon lonel ely y lane lane.. Ruin Ruin seiz seizes es thee thee,, rut ruthl hles esss King King!! Fair Fair fow fowls ls hav havee feat feathe hers rs fai fair. r. Round Round and and round round the the rugge rugged d rock rock,, the the ragge ragged d rasc rascal alss ran. ran. That That dry dry drud drudge gery ry at the the des desk’ k’ss dea dead d woo wood. d.
(3) Onomatopoeia. Onomatopoeia is the employment of words that imitate the sound or echo the sense. e.g. e.g.
The The bull bull bell bellow owed ed.. Other Examples: (i) (i) (ii) (iii (iii)) (iv) (iv) (v) (v) (vi) (vi) (vii (vii)) (viii (viii)) (ix) (ix) (x) (x)
The The thu thund nder er roar roared ed and and the the ligh lightn tnin ing g cra crash shed ed.. He fl flumped do down be behind. The The rat rattl tlee of the the hall hall upon upon the the root root awoke awoke me. me. By zigzig-za zag g path pathss and and juts juts of poi point nted ed roc rock. k. A fle fleet et of plan planes es whir whirre red d abo above ve our our head heads. s. And And rous rousee him him like like a rat rattl tlin ing g peal peal of thund thunder er.. The The curf curfew ew tol tolls ls the the kne knell ll of of part partin ing g day. day. Dry clashe clashed d his harnes harnesss in the icy caves. caves. Brus Brushi hing ng wit with h hast hasty y ste steps ps the the dew dew away away.. Now Now and and again again came came the the ton tong-t g-tin ingg-to tong ng of a she sheep ep-b -bel ell. l.
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