In his inspiring poem, "If," Rudyard Kipling makes use of
many rhetorical devices among which are anaphora, anastrophe, antithesis,
assonance,climax, hendiadys, hyperbole, metaphor,personification,and
syllepsis.
Here are examples of these aforementioned
rhetorical terms:
1. Anaphora
- The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive
phrases, clauses, or lines. (This is been thoroughly covered by the previous
poster)
2. Anastrophe -
Transposition of normal word order
"Yours is the
Earth...."
3. Antithesis -
Opposition, or contrast of ideas or words in a balanced or parallel construction. There
are numerous examples of this
"If all men count with you,
but none too much"
4.
Assonance - The repetition of the same sound in words close
to each other.
"And yet don't look too good, nor talk too
wise"
5. Climax - Arrangement
of words, phrases, or clauses in an order of ascending power. Often the last emphatic
word in one phrase or clause is repeated as the first emphatic word of the
next.
The last stanza exemplifies this term. The poem is
very moving because of this build-up.
6.
Hendiadys - Use of two words connected by a conjunction,
instead of suordinating one to the other, to express a single complex
idea.
There are numerous examples of this term, as well.
Here is one: "Or walk with Kings-nor lose the common
touch"
7. Hyperbole -
Exaggeration for emphasis or for rhetorical effect
If you
can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,/'Or walk with Kings- nor lose the common
touch"
8. Metaphor - Implied
comparison achieved through a figurative use of
words
"Twisted by knaves (metaphor for people of low
character) to make a trap for fools"
9.
Personification - Attribution of personality to an impersonal
thing
"If you can meet with Triumph and
Disaster"
10. Syllepsis - The
use of a word with two others, each of which is understood
differently.
"If you can dream - and not make dreams your
master"
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