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F IGURES OF SPEECH.
285
FIGURES OF SPEECH.
Some knowledge of the more common figu res of speech is
essential in the study of poetry, especially of suc h pot'ms as are
given for recitation in this book, and is also usefu l in the
thorough study of prose, and in th e pra ctice of composition.
A F igure of Speech is an expression in whi ch certain words
are used, not in th eir literal sense, but in a seuse suggested by
the imagina t ion ; ~-
.. The king was the lion of the field."
.. The lion is the I.:ifl(! of beasts."
In the first example U king n is used lite rally and U lion to figuratively, in
the sense of U the bravest. " In the second example II lion "is used literally
and II king" figurativ ely, in the sense of "the noblest " or U the chie f. n
The fignr es of speech most commonly used depend on three
principles- namely, Resemb lance, Contrast, an d Association. A
few others are grammat ical figur es, or figures of const ruction.
I. - F IGU RES OF RESEM m,ANC F~
I. Th e Simile is th e figure of comparison : one thing is said
to be like another ; as,-
.. The Assyrian came down like a wolf on the f old."
2. Th e Metaphor is th e figu re of substitution : one thing is p ut
f or or said to be another, and the word like or a8 is not used; as,-'--
" The Assyrian .rolfcame down on the fold."
H ere both .. wolf " and" fold" are used figuratively. Sennaeherib the
AI'S)'rian is called a "wolf," and the camp of the Israelites is called a
" fold."
3. Personificat ion is the figure in whi ch lifeless things an d th e
lower animals are spoken of as persons : :\S . -
.. All the trees of the field shall