Difference between revisions of "Figurative Speech"
Olaf Simons (Talk | contribs) (→Analysing Interplay) |
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explicit/overt comparison, ‘as’, ‘like’. | explicit/overt comparison, ‘as’, ‘like’. | ||
− | '''Example''': I wandered lonely as a cloud (Wordsworth). | + | '''Example''': I wandered lonely as a cloud (Wordsworth); "Hercules fought like a lion." |
==Metaphor== | ==Metaphor== | ||
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implicit/covert comparison without the usage of 'as' or 'like'. | implicit/covert comparison without the usage of 'as' or 'like'. | ||
− | '''Example''': But ye lovers, that bathen in gladnesse (Chaucer, T&C) | + | '''Example''': But ye lovers, that bathen in gladnesse (Chaucer, T&C); "Hercules was a lion in battle." |
==Metonymy== | ==Metonymy== | ||
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replaces one expression by another, which has a spatial, temporal, or logical connection with it. | replaces one expression by another, which has a spatial, temporal, or logical connection with it. | ||
− | '''Example''': I'll have a glass or two. | + | '''Example''': "I'll have a glass or two." "The whole village rejoyced." |
==Synecdoche== | ==Synecdoche== | ||
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==Allegory== | ==Allegory== | ||
− | a set of analogies. | + | a set of analogies. -- an abstract concept personified and made recognisable by a set of conventional attributes. |
− | '''Example''': 'Justice' as a woman | + | '''Example''': 'Justice' as a woman, blindfolded, holding a sword and scales. 'Love' as a little boy, nearly naked, with wings and a bow and arrows which he shoots in order to make people fall in love. |
==Symbol== | ==Symbol== | ||
− | an object which | + | an object which suggests an implied but not entirely definite meaning. |
− | '''Example''': It was the nightingale, and not the lark (Shakespeare, R&J). | + | '''Example''': It was the nightingale, and not the lark (Shakespeare, R&J). A heart as a symbol for love. The cross as a symbol for death and resurrections, Christ's triumph over death (different types of cross symbolise different Christian denominations etc.). |
Revision as of 13:40, 22 April 2008
Contents
Tropes (Tropen)
any expression which implies a transference of meaning
Simile
explicit/overt comparison, ‘as’, ‘like’.
Example: I wandered lonely as a cloud (Wordsworth); "Hercules fought like a lion."
Metaphor
implicit/covert comparison without the usage of 'as' or 'like'.
Example: But ye lovers, that bathen in gladnesse (Chaucer, T&C); "Hercules was a lion in battle."
Metonymy
replaces one expression by another, which has a spatial, temporal, or logical connection with it.
Example: "I'll have a glass or two." "The whole village rejoyced."
Synecdoche
a part stands for the whole, or vice versa.
Example: The Vatican has commented on recent events.
Allegory
a set of analogies. -- an abstract concept personified and made recognisable by a set of conventional attributes.
Example: 'Justice' as a woman, blindfolded, holding a sword and scales. 'Love' as a little boy, nearly naked, with wings and a bow and arrows which he shoots in order to make people fall in love.
Symbol
an object which suggests an implied but not entirely definite meaning.
Example: It was the nightingale, and not the lark (Shakespeare, R&J). A heart as a symbol for love. The cross as a symbol for death and resurrections, Christ's triumph over death (different types of cross symbolise different Christian denominations etc.).
Analysing Metaphors
- Step 1: Separate literal from figurative use
L: | But | ye | lovers, | that | ———— | gladnesse |
F: | " | " | " | " | bathen in | ———— |
- Step 2: Construct tenor and vehicle, by postulating semantic elements to fill in the gaps of the literal and figurative interpretations
TEN: | But | ye | lovers, | that | [feel] | gladnesse |
VEH: | " | " | " | " | bathen in | [water, etc] |
- Step 3: State the ground of the metaphor
Gladness is the lovers' element which they enjoy as a simple natural pleasure
Analysing Interplay
Interplay: tension between the verse metre and the actual rhythm
- Step 1: Identify the metre (maximization principle)
- Step 2: Identify realized accentuation
- Step 3: Identify the points of deviation when comparing the outcome of step 1 and step 2
- Step 4: Describe the points of deviation in historic context