3.6 Figures of Speech

 

FIGURES OF SPEECH

A figure of speech is generally used in poetry, to add beauty to the poem. It is intentionally different from the normal manner of speech, and creates a powerful and pleasing effect on the reader.      The following are some of the important figures of speech : 1. Personification :  When inanimate objects and abstract ideas are spoken of as if they were living beings, the figure of speech is                                                    Personification. e.g. (1) Opportunity knocks at the door but once.          (2) Laughter holding both her sides. 2. Simile : Simile means 'likeness'. When two unlike things are compared, using the words ‘as' or 'like', the figure of speech is Simile. e.g. (1) The soul was like a star, and dwelt apart. (2) The river flowed, as silent as the night. 3. Metaphor : A Metaphor is an implied simile. When two unlike things are compared implicitly, without the use of the words 'like' or 'as', the figure of speech is Metaphor. e.g. (1) He is a mere cog in the machine. (2) All the world's a stage. 4. Hyperbole : When a statement is exaggerated or overstated to create an effect, the figure of speech is Hyperbole. e.g. (1) She wept oceans of tears. (2) He rode faster than the wind. 5. Antithesis : When a striking opposition or contrast of words or sentiments is made in the same sentence, the figure of speech is Antithesis. e.g. (1) Man proposes, God disposes. (2) To err is human, to forgive is divine. 6. Exclamation : When strong feelings are expressed in the form of exclamations, the figure of speech is Exclamation. e.g. (1) Oh Lord! What have I done to deserve this? (2) O mighty Caesar! Does thou lie so low? 7. Climax : When words or ideas are arranged in the order of increasing importance, the figure of speech is Climax. e.g. (1) Great, wide, beautiful, wonderful world. (2) He begs, he lies, he steals, he kills for gold. 8. Anticlimax :Anticlimax is the opposite of Climax  and signifies a descent from the higher to the lower. e.g. (1) At one swell swoop, he lost his wife, his children, his houses and his dog. (2) He was the wisest, brightest, meanest of all. 9. Alliteration : In this figure of speech, there is a pleasant repetition of sound characterized  by a letter or by a syllable. e.g. (1) She went on her winding way. (2) Glittering through the gloomy glades.