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What is an epithet in literature?
Are epithets a literary device?
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Sep 9, 2021 · Definition and Examples of How to Correctly Use Epithet in Literature. Written by MasterClass. Last updated: Sep 9, 2021 • 3 min read. Some of the most revered writers and poets of all time use epithets to add texture to their prose.
Aug 30, 2024 · epithet, adjective or phrase that is used to express a characteristic of a person or thing, such as Ivan the Terrible. In literature, the term is considered an element of poetic diction, something that distinguishes the language of poetry from ordinary language.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
- Types of Epithets
- Purpose of Epithets
- Examples of Epithets in Literature
The Fixed Epithet: This is the kind of epithet that’s found in epic poetry. They are made up of repeated use of a word to describe a single object. Examples can be found in The Aeneid by Virgil and...The Argumentative Epithet: Primarily this kind of epithet is found among orators and within short arguments.Keening: is a two-word phrase that describes an object by employing metaphors.As an insult or smear word: a “smear word” epithet connects a derogatory name or meaning for someone or somethingEpithets are used to describe settings, characters, and connects in as much clear detail as possible. They can help a reader engage more deeply with a poem or story by making their chosen subjectmore interesting and striking. Epithets might also help a writer get their point across using as few words as possible. Consider the Ulysses example from t...
Example #1Beowulf
This famous Anglo-Saxon epic poemmakes use of several different kinds of epithets. One of the most prominent is known as a keening. The following words are all examples of this particular technique: “sleep of the sword” in reference to death, “wound-sea” in reference to blood and “spear-din” which was used to describe battle. All of these words coney their meaning clearly to the reader while also telling us additional details about how death might arrive and how badly someone is wounded.
Example #2Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
Famous for coining novel words and phrases that are still in use today, Shakespeare provides a lover of poetry, prose, and drama with something to enjoy on every page. There is one very famous example of an epithet from his best-known play, Romeo and Juliet. Take a look at the lines below: In the second line of this excerpt, the poet uses the phrase “star-cross’d” or “star-crossed” to describe the relationship between his two protagonists. They are lovers, but that love does not come easily....
Example #3 Beauty and Beauty by Rupert Brooke
A simple, yet evocative poem, Brooke’s Beauty and Beauty uses a great deal of figurative language to describe a setting. The imagery is very strong throughout the entire poem. Take a look at these lines from the first and second stanzas. Here, Brooke is addressing the place where “Beauty and Beauty met”. It was a place where the air was “memory-soft,” due to that meeting. The meeting allowed beauty and joy to transmute into the earth itself. It is “cry-sweet” and ”scattering-bright”
Epithet is a descriptive literary device that describes a place, a thing, or a person in such a way that it helps in making its characteristics more prominent than they actually are. Also, it is known as a “by-name,” or “descriptive title.”
1. a. : a characterizing word or phrase accompanying or occurring in place of the name of a person or thing. b. : a disparaging or abusive word or phrase. c. : the part of a taxonomic name identifying a subordinate unit within a genus. 2. obsolete : expression. epithetic. ˌe-pə-ˈthe-tik. adjective. or epithetical. ˌe-pə-ˈthe-ti-kəl. Did you know?
Feb 28, 2023 · Epithet involves the use of a descriptive word or phrase that highlights a particular characteristic of a person, place, or thing. Epithets are often used to create a more vivid and memorable image in the reader's mind, and to emphasize a certain aspect of the subject.
Nov 1, 2023 · Examples of Epithets in Literature. “Cunning Odysseus” (Homer’s “The Odyssey”): This epithet characterizes Odysseus, the legendary Greek hero, by emphasizing his intelligence, resourcefulness, and cleverness. It captures his ability to overcome challenges and outwit adversaries during his long journey home.
