FIGURES OF SPEECH

241. A Figure of Speech is a departure from the ordinary form of expression, or the

ordinary course of ideas in order to produce a greater effect.

242. Figures of Speech may be classified as under:-

(1) Those based on Resemblance, such as Simile, Metaphor, Personificatiopn and

Apostrophe.

(2) Those based on Contrast, such as Antithesis and Epigram.

(3) Those based on Association, such as Metonymy and Synec doche.

(4) Those depending on Construction, such as Climax and Anticlimax.

243. Simile:- In a Simile a comparison is made between two objects of different kinds

which have however at least one point in common.

The Simile is usually introduced by such words as like, as or so. Examples:-

1. The Assyrian came down like a wolf on the fold.

2. The righteous shall flourish as the palm tree.

3. As the hart panteth after the water-brooks, so panteth my soul after Thee, O God.

4. Words are like leaves: and where they most abound,

Much fruit of sense beneath is rarely found.

5. How far that little candle throws his beams !

So shines a good deed in a naughty world.

6. Life is as tedious as a twice-told tale

Vexing the dull ear of a drowsy man.

7. Thy soul was like a star, and dwelt apart:

Thou hadst a voice whose sound was like the sea.

8. O my Love's like a red, red rose

That's newly sprung in June;

O my Love's like the melodie.

That's sweetly played in tune.

The following are some common similes of everyday speech:-

Mad as a March Hare; as proud as a peacock; as bold as brass; as tough as leather; as

clear as crystal; as good as gold; as old as the hills; as cool as a cucumber.

Note:- A comparison of two things of the same kind is not a Simile.

244. Metaphor:- A Metaphor is an implied Simile. It does not, like the Simile, state that

one thing is like another or acts as another, but takes that for granted and proceeds as if

the two things were one.

Thus, when we say, 'He fought like a lion' we use a Simile, but when we say, 'He was a

lion in the fight', we use a Metaphor.

Examples:-

1. The camel is the ship of the desert.

2. Life is a dream.

3. The news was a dagger to his heart.

4. Revenge is a kind of wild justice.

Note 1:- Every Simile can be compressed into a Metaphor and every Metaphor can be

expanded into a Simile.

Thus, instead of saying,

we can say,

Richard fought like a lion (Simile),

Similarly, instead of saying,

The camel is the ship of the desert (Metaphor).

we may expand it and say,

As a ship is used for crossing the ocean, so the camel is used for crossing the desert

(Simile).

Other examples:-

Variety is the spice of life (Metaphor).

As spice flavours food, so variety makes life more pleasant (Simile).

The waves broke on the shore with a noise like thunder (Simile).

The waves thundered on the shore. (Metaphor)

Note 2:- Metaphor should never be mixed. That is, an object should not be identified with

two or more different things in the same sentence.

The following is a typical example of what is called a Mixed Metaphor.

I smell a rat; I see it floating in the air; but I will nip it in the bud.

245. Personification:- In Personification inanimate objects and abstract notions are

spoken of as having life and intelligence.

Examples:-

1. In Saxon strength that abbey frowned.

2. Laughter holding both her sides.

3. Death lays his icy hand on kings.

4. Pride goeth forth on horseback, grand and gay,

But Cometh back on fool, and begs its way.

246. Apostrophe:- An Apostrophe is a direct address to the dead, to the absent, or to a

personified object or idea. This figure is a special form of Personification.

Examples:-

1. Milton ! thou should'st be living at this hour.

2. O Friend ! I know not which way I must look

For, comfort,

3. Roll on, thou deep and dark blue Ocean-roll !

4. O death ! where is thy sting ? O grave ! where is thy victory ?

5. O liberty, what crimes have been committed in thy name ?

6. Wave, Munich, all thy banners wave,

And charge with alt thy chivalry !

7. O judgement! thou art fled to brutish beasts.

8. O Solitude ! where are the charms

That sages have seen in thy face ?

247. Hyperbole:- In Hyperbole a statement is made emphatic by overstatement.

Examples:-

1. Here's the smell of blood still; all the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little

hand.

2. Why, man, if the river were dry, I am able to fill it with tears.

3. O Hamlet ! thou hast cleft my heart in twain.

4. Surely never lighted on this orb, which she hardly seemed to touch, a more delightful

vision than Marie Antoinette.

5. I loved Ophelia: Torn thousand brothers Could not with all then' quantity of love

Make up the sum.