FIGURES OF SPEECH
Figures by Type with Link
Definition
Tropes
figures which change the typical meaning of a word or words
Metaplasmic Figures
figures which move the letters or syllables of a word from their typical places
Figures of Omission
figures which omit something--eg. a word, words, phrases, or clauses--from a sentence
Figures of Repetition (words)
figures which repeat one or more words
Figures of Repetition (clauses and ideas)
figures which repeat a phrase, a clause or an idea
Figures of Unusual Word Order
figures which alter the ordinary order of words or sentences
Figures of Thought
a miscellaneous group of figures which deal with emotional appeals and techniques of argument
Example
metaphor
the substitution of a word for a word whose meaning is close to the original word
Poor broken glass, I often did behold/ In thy sweet semblance my old age new born...---The Rape of Lucrece,1758-59
metonymy
a noun is substituted for a noun in such a way that we substitute the cause of the thing of which we are speaking for the thing itself; this might be done in several ways: substituting the inventor for his invention, the container for the thing contained or vice versa, an author for his work, the sign for the thing signified, the cause for the effect or vice versa
I must comfort the weaker vessel, as doublet and hoseought to show itself courageous to petticoat.---As You Like It, 2.4.6
synecdoche
substitution of part for whole, genus for species, or vice versa
Was this the face that launched a thousand ships,/ And burnt the topless towers of Ilium?---Dr. Faustus, 12.80-81
irony
expressing a meaning directly contrary to that suggested by the words
He was no notorious malefactor, but he had been twice on the pillory, and once burnt in the hand for trifling oversights.---Direccions for Speech and Style
metalepsis
a double metonymy in which an effect is represented by a remote cause
Woe worth the mountain that the mast bear/ Which was the first causer of all my care (Medea cursing Jason).---The Arte of English Poesie, 183
paradox
a seemingly self contradictory statement, which yet is shown to be true
For what the waves could never wash away/ This proper youth has wasted in a day.---The Arte of English Poesie, 226
oxymoron
a condensed paradox at the level of a phrase
O modest wantons! wanton modesty!---The Rape of Lucrece, 401
anthimeria
the substitution of one part of speech for another; for instance, an adverb for a noun or a noun for an adverb
Lord Angelo dukes it well.---Measure for Measure, 3.2.100
litotes
deliberate understatement or denial of the contrary
He is no fool.---The Arte of English Poesie, 184
hyperbole
exaggerated or extravagant statement used to make a strong impression, but not intended to be taken literally
His legs bestrid the ocean, his rear'd arm/ Crested the world, his voice was propertied/ As all the tuned spheres...---Antony and Cleopatra, 5.2.82
prosthesis
addition of letters to the beginning of a word
I all alone beweep my outcast state.---Shakespeare Sonnets, 29
aphaersis
omission of letters from the beginning of a word
Use every man after his desert, and who should 'scapewhipping?---Hamlet, 2.2.561
epenthesis
addition of letters to the middle of a word
Lie blist'ring fore the visitating sun.---Two Noble Kinsmen, 1.1.146
syncope
omission of letters from the middle of a word
Thou thy worldly task hast done,/ Home art gone, and ta'enthy wages. Cymberline, 4.2.258
paragoge
addition of letters to the end of a word
I can call spirits from the vasty deep.---Henry IV, Part I, 3.1.52
apocope
omission of letters from the end of a word
I am Sir Oracle,/ And when I ope my lips let no dog bark!---The Merchant of Venice, 1.1.93
antisthecon
substitution of a letter or sound for another within a word
Or, ere they meet, in me, O nature, cesse!---All's Well That Ends Well, 5.3.75
metathesis
transposition of a letter out of its normal order in a word
With liver burning hot. Frevent.---The Merry Wives of Windsor, 2.1.122
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