SCHOOL SERVICE COMMISSION / 11-12 (HONS.

) / LITERARY DEVICES
RHETORIC OR FIGURES OF SPEECH
ANJAN BANDYOPADHYAY / KALYANI / 9433301872

SPECIMEN OF SOME SOLVED FIGURES OF SPEECH

1. Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow

Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time;
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death.

The above extract contains a number of figures which are mentioned below:

(i) There is Palilogia in the first line for the word ‘tomorrow’ is reiterated in the same
line.

(ii) There is Polysyndeton in the first line because of the excessive use of the
connecting conjunction ‘and’.

(iii) There is, again, Personification, for ‘tomorrow’, an abstract idea, is invested with
the attribute of a living being in the verb ‘creeps’. The same figure is used when
‘yesterdays’, an abstract idea, is invested with the attribute of a living being in the
expression “have lighted”.

(iv) There is Alliteration in the first line because there is repetition of the same letter‘t’
at the beginning of the nearly successive words ‘tomorrow’, ‘tomorrow’, and
‘tomorrow’. There is also Alliteration of the letter ‘p’ at the beginning of the successive
words ‘petty’ and ‘pace’. The same letter ‘d’ is repeated at the beginning of the nearly
successive words. Again, there is also Alliteration of the letter‘d’ in the last line.

(v) There is also Periphrasis in ‘the last syllable of recorded time’ which is a round-
about description of the ‘Doomsday’.

(vi) There is, again, the use of Metaphor in the expression “the last syllable of recorded
time”. Here the word ‘syllable’, which properly belongs to the field of book, is applied
to time in such a way that an implied comparison between the two things (‘book’ and
‘time’) is made. The point of comparison is that both of them have certain end. We
also observe the use of the same figure in “All our yesterdays have lighted fools”
where there is an implied comparison between ‘yesterdays’ and “will-o’ -the-wisp”.
The point of comparison is that both of them have the capacity to show light.

(vii) Finally, there is Hypallage or Transferred Epithet in the expression “dusty death”
where the epithet ‘dusty’, which actually belongs to ‘way’, is transferred to ‘death’
(accompanying thing).
2. The tortoise here and-elephant unite,
Transformed to combs, the speckled and the white,
Here files of pins extend their shining rows,
Puffs, powders, patches, Bibles, billet-doux.

The above extract contains a number of figures which are mentioned below:

(i) There is Synecdoche in the first line, for here ‘tortoise’ and ‘elephant’ (whole) have
been substituted for the tortoise’s ‘shell’ (part) and the elephant’s ‘tusk’ (part)
respectively. However, ‘tortoise’ and ‘shell’ and ‘elephant’ and ‘tusk’ are intimately
associated to each other. Hence it is a case of the ‘whole for the part’ of Synecdoche.

(ii) There is Metaphor in the expression ‘files of pins’, for here an implied comparison
is made between two dissimilar objects ‘files of pins’ and ‘soldiers’. The point of
comparison is that both ‘files of pins’ and ‘soldiers’ are capable to attack.

(iii) There is also Personification in the third line where ‘pins’, inanimate objects, are
invested with the qualities of human beings in the expression “extend”.

(iv) There is, again, Hypallage in ‘shining rows’, for the’ epithet ‘shining’ which
actually belongs to ‘pins’ , has been transferred to ‘rows’ (accompanying thing).
(v) There is Alliteration in the last line because there is repetition of the same letter ‘p’
at the beginning of the successive words ‘puffs’, ‘powders’, and ‘patches’. There is also
Alliteration of the letter ‘b’ at the beginning of the successive words ‘Bibles’ and ‘billet-
doux’.

(vi) We note, again, the use of the figure Anticlimax in the last line because there is a
sudden fall from the ‘Bibles’ (lofty idea) to the ‘billet-doux’ (mean idea) in order to
excite ridicule or laughter.

(vii) Asyndeton is used in the last line where there is omission of the connecting
conjunction ‘and’ after the word ‘Bibles’.

3. Out, out, brief candle!

Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more; it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.

The above extract contains a number of figures which are mentioned below:

(i) There is Apostrophe in the first line for a short, impassioned address, is made to the
‘candle’, an inanimate object, imagining that the ‘candle’ is living and listening to the
speaker.
(ii) There is also Palilogia in the expression “out, out, brief candle” for there is a simple
reiteration of the word ‘out’ in the same line.

(iii) There is, again, Periphrasis in the expression ‘brief candle’ because the idea ‘life’
has been described in a roundabout way by the expression ‘brief candle’.

(iv) Metaphor is used in the second line where ‘life’ is implicitly compared to such
unallied objects as a ‘shadow’, a ‘player’ and a ‘tale’ (in the fourth line). There is also
an implied comparison between ‘candle’ and ‘life’. The point of comparison is that
both ‘candle’ and ‘life’ are short-lived.

(v) There is the use of Hyperbole where it too much to say that ‘life’ is “a walking
shadow” or “a poor player” or “a tale told by an idiot”.

(vi) Finally, there is Hendiadys in the expression ‘sound and fury’, for here two nouns
(‘sound’ and ‘fury’) are connected by the conjunction ‘and’, one of which serves as an
adjective to the other. It gives the idea of “furious sound”.

4. There’s nothing serious in mortality:

All is but toys: renown and grace is dead;
The wine of life is drawn, and the mere lees
Is left this vault to brag of.

The above lines contain a number of figures which are mentioned below:

(i) There is Hyperbole in the first line, because, here, an exaggerated statement is
made. The same figure is employed in the expression “All is but toys” in the second
line.

(ii) There is also “abstract for the concrete” of Synecdoche in the first line because here,
“mortality” (an abstract idea) is substituted for “human life” (concrete). However,
“mortality” and “human life” are intimately associated to each other. Again ‘renown
and grace’ (an abstract idea) in the second line is substituted for a man of renown and
grace (concrete). This also a case of “abstract for the concrete” of Synecdoche.

(iii) In the second line, there is Metaphor in ‘All is but-toys’ because an implied
comparison is made between two dissimilar objects - ‘all’ objects and ‘toys’. The point
of comparison is that all things are as worthlessness as ‘toys’. In the third line, the
same figure is found in “the wine of life” because there is in implicit comparison
between ‘wine’ and ‘life’. The point of comparison is that both ‘wine’ and ‘life’ are
sweet. Metaphor is again used in the word ‘vault’ of the fourth line, because an
implied comparison is made between two dissimilar objects ‘vault’ and the ‘earth’
vaulted by the sky. Similar metaphorical use is also found in the word ‘lees’ which
stands for lifeless organs.
(iv) Personification is used in the second line where ‘renown’ and ‘grace’, two abstract
ideas, are invested with the qualities of human beings in the expression ‘dead’. Again,
the expression ‘lees’ (an inanimate object) is also personified because it is invested
with the attribute of human beings through the word ‘brag’.
(v) Periphrasis is used in the expression ‘this vault’ of the fourth line because here the
idea ‘body’ is expressed in a round-about way.

5. That time of year thou may’st in me behold

When yellow leaves, or none, or few, do hang
Upon those boughs which shake against the cold
Bare ruined choirs, where late the sweet birds sang.

The above lines contain a number of figures which are mentioned below:

(i) There is Metaphor in the first line where an implied comparison is made between
two dissimilar ideas ‘that time of year’ and ‘me’ (the poet).

(ii) Polysyndeton is used in the second line because there is excessive use of the
connecting conjunction ‘or’ in the expression “yellow leaves, or none, or few”.

(iii) Metonymy is used in ‘cold’ of third line because here ‘cold’ (effect) is substituted
for the “cold wind” (cause). Hence it is a case of “effect for the cause” of Metonymy.

(iv) Synecdoche is used in the expression ‘choirs’ of fourth line where ‘Choirs’ (part) is
substituted for ‘cathedrals’ (whole). However, ‘Choirs’ and ‘cathedrals’ are intimately
associated to each other. Hence it is a case of “Part for the Whole” of Synecdoche.

(v) Periphrasis is used in the expression “That time of year” of the first line because
here the idea “late autumn” or “early winter” is expressed in a round-about way.

6. What though the field be lost?

All is not lost – the unconquerable will
And study of revenge, immortal hate
And courage never to submit or yield,
And what is else not to be overcome?

The above extract contains a number of figures which are mentioned below:

(i) There is Interrogation in the first line because here a question is asked but the
answer, that the loss of the field does not matter much, is implied in the very question.
The same figure is again applied in the last line, for here, too, a question is asked but
the answer that the spirit of revenge, hatred and courage can conquer anything else, is
implied in the very question.

(ii) There is Epigram in the expression “All is not lost” of the second line. There is a
shocking contradiction in the apparent meaning of the statement for how a field that is
lost can not be lost. But the underlying significance is that despite defeat in the field,
there still remains much like the “study of revenge”, “immortal hate” and “courage
never to submit or yield”.

(iii) There is, again Tautology in ‘never to submit or yield’ because it repeats two
words (‘submit’ and ‘yield’) having the same meaning.

(iv) There is Climax in the arrangement of ideas like “unconquerable will”, “study of
revenge”, “immortal hate”, and “courage” in an ascending order of importance.

(v) There is the use of Anaphora or Epanaphora because the word ‘and’ is repeated
thrice at the beginning of the last three successive lines.

7. No louder shrieks to pitying heaven are cast,

When husbands or when lap-dogs breathe their last
Or when rich China vessels fallen from high,
In glittering dust and painted fragments lie!

The above extract contains a number of figures which are mentioned below:

(i) There is Anticlimax in the first three lines because there is a sudden fall from a lofty
idea (the death of a husband) to a mean idea (the death of a lap-dog or the breaking of
China vessels).

(ii) There is also Euphemism in the second line, for here a harsh fact like ‘death’ has
been softened down and expressed in a pleasing way with the use of the expression
like “breathe their last”.

(iii) There is, again, Hyperbole in the last two lines because the description of the
China vessels in their broken condition is highly exaggerated.

(iv) The last two lines are, again, a case of Hyperbaton as here the regular grammatical
order has been inverted.

(vi) There is Palilogia in the second line for the word ‘when’ is reiterated in the same
line.

8. Who best
Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. His state
Is kingly: thousands at his bidding speed,
And post o’er land and ocean without rest;
They also serve who only stand and wait.

The above lines contain a number of figures which are mentioned below:
(i) There is Oxymoron in the expression “mild yoke”, for here two contradictory
words ‘mild’ and ‘yoke’ are juxtaposed.

(ii) There is also Hypallage or Transferred Epithet in “mild yoke”, for the word ‘mild’
(epithet) has been transferred from ‘God’ to ‘yoke’. The same figure is employed in
“bidding speed” because here the epithet ‘bidding’ has been transferred from ‘God’ to
‘speed’.

(iii) The expression “without rest” may be considered as a case of Hyperbole because
here an exaggerated statement has been made.

(iv) Finally, we observe the use of the figure Epigram in the last line because there is a
shocking contradiction in the apparent meaning of the statement for “How can they
serve who only stand and wait?” But the underlying significance is that passive
obedience is as good as active service to God.

9. Milton! thou shouldst be living at this hour:

England hath need of thee: she is a fen
Of stagnant waters: altar, sword and pen,
Fireside, the heroic wealth of hall and bower,
Have forfeited their ancient English dower
Of inward happiness.

The above extract contains a number of figures which are mentioned below:

(i) There is Apostrophe in the first line where a short, impassioned address is made to
Milton, a dead poet.

(ii) There is, again, Synecdoche in the expression ‘at this hour’, for here ‘hour’ (part) is
substituted for ‘age’ (whole). However, ‘hour’ and ‘age’ are intimately associated to
each other. Hence it is a case of ‘part for the whole’ of Synecdoche.

(iii) There is also Personification in ‘England hath need of thee’, for here England, an
inanimate object, is invested with the attribute of human beings in the expression
“hath need”. The same figure is employed where the inanimate objects like ‘altar,
‘sword’ and ‘pen’ invested with the attribute of living beings in the expression “have
forfeited”.

(iv) There is also Metaphor in the expression “she is a fen” for here an implied
comparison is made between two dissimilar objects ‘she’ and ‘fen’. The same figure is
used in the expression “dower of inward happiness” for here an implied comparison
is made between two dissimilar objects – ‘dower’ and ‘happiness’.

(v) The expression “She (i.e., England) is a fen” may also be treated as a case of
Hyperbole because here an exaggerated statement is made.
(vi) Metonymy is used in the expressions – ‘altar’, ‘sword’, ‘pen’, ‘fireside’, ‘hall’ and
‘bower’. ‘Sword’ and ‘pen’ have been substituted for ‘soldiers’ and ‘writers’
respectively. Hence, it is a case of “instrument for the agent”. ‘Altar, ‘fireside’, ‘hall’
and ‘bower’ have been substituted for the ‘clergy’’, householders’, ‘knights’ and
‘ladies’ respectively. It is a case of the “Symbol or sign for the thing symbolized” of
Metonymy.

10. Where palsy shakes a few, sad, last grey hairs

Where youth grows pale and spectre-thin and dies
Where but to think is to be full of sorrow
And leaden-eyed despairs.

The above extract contains a number of figures which are mentioned below:

(i) There is the use of Anaphora or Epanaphora because the word ‘where’ is repeated
thrice at the beginning of three successive lines.

(ii) There is Metonymy in ‘palsy’ because here ‘palsy’ (symbol or sign) is substituted
for “a paralytic man” (thing signified). Hence, it is a case of the “Symbol or sign for the
thing symbolised” of Metonymy.

(iii) There is also Asyndeton in the expression “a few, sad, last gray hairs” because the
connecting conjunction ‘and’ is dropped out after the word ‘sad’ here.

(iv) There is Synecdoche in the expression ‘youth’ because here ‘youth’ (an abstract
idea) is substituted for a young man (concrete thing). Hence it is a case of the
“Abstract for the concrete” of Synecdoche.

(v) The statement given in the second line is a case of Polysyndeton, because there is
excessive use of the connecting conjunction ‘and’ for the sake of emphasis.

(vi) The second line is a case of Climax as here the ideas ‘pale’ , ‘spectre-thin’ and
‘dies’ are arranged in an ascending order of importance.

(vii) There is Metaphor in ‘spectre thin’, for a young man is compared to a spectre in
respect of thinness; this comparison is, however, implied and not clearly stated. The
same figure is employed in ‘leaden eyed’ where two unallied objects -’ lead’ and ‘eye’ -
are compared implicitly.

(viii) There is, again, Personification in the expression “leaden-eyed despairs” because
‘despair’, an abstract idea, is invested with the attribute of a living being in the
expression “leaden-eyed”. Finally, there is Hyperbole in the third line because here an
exaggerated statement is made.

ANJAN BANDYOPADHYAY / KALYANI / 9433301872