English language is rich in figures of speech, which enhance our communication by adding depth and nuanced meanings to our words. To grasp this linguistic phenomenon fully, it is essential to familiarize ourselves with different types of figures of speech and examine them through examples.
Figure of Speech: Definition
Even if you are familiar with the phrase, it's important to understand the meaning of a "figure of speech":
A figure of speech is a rhetorical device in which the intended meaning of a word or phrase cannot be interpreted literally from its literal words. In other words, figures of speech employ words or phrases to convey meanings beyond their literal interpretation.
Rhetorical devices are techniques used by writers or speakers to convey meaning, elicit emotional responses, and often persuade or convince the audience.
Figures of speech can be employed both in spoken language and writing. They help us create vivid mental imagery for our listeners and readers, depending on the mode of communication.
Figures of speech find use in both fiction and non-fiction writing, serving various purposes and achieving diverse effects, which we will explore in this article.
Significance of Figures of Speech in English
Why do we bother using figures of speech and what is their significance in English?
Figures of speech serve various purposes and can be employed to:
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Make descriptions of people, places, and things more engaging and interesting (e.g., The ocean stretched out like an endless blue-green carpet.)
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Highlight and emphasize emotions (e.g., Her sadness was a supervolcano, ready to erupt at any moment.)
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Create a sense of urgency or excitement (e.g., Bang! Pop! The barn crumpled to the ground as the flames engulfed the last wooden posts supporting it.)
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Draw comparisons between different subjects (e.g., The puppy dashed into the waves, while the old dog observed, stiller than a petrified tree in the forest.)
The effect generated by a figure of speech largely depends on the specific type employed. Let's now explore various types of figures of speech in more depth:
Types of Figures of Speech
There is an extensive array of figures of speech. Here is a list covering some of the most prominent ones:
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Metaphor: A figure of speech that describes something by likening it to another thing.
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Simile: A figure of speech that compares something to another using "like" or "as".
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Irony: The use of words to express the opposite of their literal meaning.
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Idiom: Phrases or expressions whose meaning is figurative and differs from the literal interpretation of their words.
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Euphemism: The use of mild or indirect words or expressions in place of harsh or blunt ones.
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Hyperbole: A figure of speech that involves deliberate exaggeration for emphasis or dramatic effect.
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Pun: A play on words that exploits different meanings or similar sounds of words, often for humorous or rhetorical effect.
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Epigram: A concise and witty statement that conveys an idea, often with a satirical undertone.
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Circumlocution: The use of many words to express an idea instead of being concise, often resulting in vagueness or ambiguity.
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Onomatopoeia: Words that phonetically imitate or evoke the sound they represent.
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Personification: A figure of speech attributing human characteristics or qualities to non-human entities.
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of figures of speech. However, it offers a good starting point to understand the different effects and impacts they can create in language usage.
Fig 2. - Figures of speech can bring writing to life!
Now, let's delve into a few common figures of speech and explore them in more detail:
Metaphor in Figure of Speech
A metaphor directly likens one thing to another by stating that the former is the latter. Metaphors have been widely employed across various literary genres. For example, in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet (1597):
But soft, what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun!"
-Romeo and Juliet, W. Shakespeare, 1597 1
In this instance, Juliet is metaphorically compared to the sun in the line "and Juliet is the sun." This metaphor conveys Romeo's intense love for Juliet by emphasizing her importance and radiant nature, much like the sun.
Oxymoron in Figure of Speech
An oxymoron involves combining contradictory terms to emphasize the meaning of the second word. Here's an example from Alfred Tennyson's Lancelot and Elaine (1870) that contains two oxymorons:
His honour rooted in dishonour stood, and faith unfaithful kept him falsely true."
-A. Tennyson, Lancelot and Elaine, 1870 2
In this example, two oxymorons are present: "faith unfaithful" and "falsely true." Both of these oxymorons serve to depict Lancelot as a paradoxical character, embodying both honor and dishonor, truth and falsehood. The positioning of "unfaithful" and "true" as the concluding words of each oxymoron presents Lancelot as indeed being both of these attributes, forming yet another oxymoron.
Fun fact! The term "oxymoron" itself is an oxymoron. It consists of two words with opposite meanings of Greek origin: oxus (meaning "sharp") and moros (meaning "dull"). Translated directly, "oxymoron" means "sharpdull."
Idiom in Figure of Speech
Idioms are phrases where the literal meaning of the words is entirely different from their figurative or intended meaning. They have been extensively used in literature as well.
The world is an oyster, but you don't crack it open on a mattress!"
-A. Miller, Death of a Salesman, 1949 3
You might be familiar with the phrase "the world is your oyster," which has nothing to do with actual oysters but symbolizes possibilities and opportunities. In Death of a Salesman, Willy Loman employs this idiom and adds a twist by saying, "you don't crack it open on a mattress." Willy addresses his son, Happy, explaining that although life offers numerous opportunities, success requires hard work and effort.
Simile in Figure of Speech
Similes resemble metaphors, but instead of asserting one thing is another, similes establish that one thing is like another. Similes utilize words such as "like" or "as." Consider this example from Louisa May Alcott's Little Women (1868):
...she tried to get rid of the kitten which had scrambled up her back and stuck like a burr just out of reach."
-L.M. Alcott, Little Women, 1868 4
In this excerpt, a character attempts to remove a kitten that has climbed onto her back. The simile "stuck like a burr" describes the difficulty of removing the kitten and the character's discomfort. Burrs are often prickly, hence conveying the idea of the kitten's claws.
Fig 3. - An example of a spiky burr. A burr is a seed or dried fruit covered in hairs, thorns, or hooked spines.
Hyperbole in Figure of Speech
Hyperbole involves deliberate exaggeration, not meant to be taken literally, to emphasize or intensify certain characteristics or emotions. Writers employ hyperbole to underscore the extremity of situations or feelings, be it extreme hunger, size, speed, intelligence, etc. Illustratively, consider this extract from William Goldman's The Princess Bride (1973):
I died that day!"
-W. Goldman, The Princess Bride, 1973 5
Princess Buttercup conveys the immense devastation she experienced following Westley's death at the hands of Dread Pirate Roberts. While she did not physically die, her emotional anguish was so profound that it felt as though a part of her had perished with him. The absence of Westley has left her feeling hollow and devoid of life.
Illustrations of Figurative Language
Here are some examples of different figures of speech in literature:
- Metaphor: "Love is a cruel mistress."
- Simile: "She is as lovely as a rose."
- Idiom: "People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones."
- Hyperbole: "I'm so hungry I could eat a chest of drawers!"
- Oxymoron: "pretty ugly", "seriously funny", "clearly confused"
- Irony: (on a rainy day) "What a beautiful day!"
- Euphemism: "He kicked the bucket."
- Metonymy: "Long live the crown!" (referring to a king or queen)
- Pun: "English students have a lot of comma sense."
- Epigram: "With great power comes great responsibility."
- Circumlocution: "There is a possibility that I might potentially have been slightly dishonest." (instead of saying, "I lied")
- Onomatopoeia: "Bang!" "sizzle," "Cuckoo!"
- Personification: "The clouds were angry."
Key Takeaways:
- A figure of speech is a rhetorical device that adds emphasis and meaning to spoken and written language.
- There are various types of figures of speech, such as metaphors, similes, puns, hyperbole, idioms, and more.
- Each type of figure of speech creates a distinct effect and impact.
- Figures of speech find utility in both verbal communication and written forms across literary genres.
- Figures of speech have been extensively employed in literature, including works by Shakespeare, plays like Death of a Salesman, and modern novels.