10. Diaresis separates two vowels which otherwise might form a diphthong; as, coördinate, zoology. 11. Tmesis separates a compound word by inserting a word between its parts; as, to us ward, for toward us. 235. Exercise. 1. Point out the figures in the following examples :— The lamps shone o'er fair women and brave men. 'Tis mine to teach th' inactive hand to reap A heart has throbbed beneath that leathern breast, And tears adown that dusky cheek have rolled. He led, I wot, the softest way to death, And taught withouten pain and strife to yield the breath. 2. What figures would you employ to render the following lines harmonious: It is the sunset of life gives me mystical lore. For we have sworn, by our country's assaulters, 236. Figures of Syntax. 1. A figure of Syntax is a deviation from the ordinary construction of a word. 2. Figures of Syntax consist in a defect, an excess, or a change in some of the elements of a sentence. 3. Ellipsis is the omission of a word, phrase, or clause, which is necessary to complete the construction; as, "We were absent [during] one day." 4. It should be understood that the words omitted by this figure as Diæresis. Tmesis. Figures of syntax. truly belong to the sentence, grammatically considered, as those which are expressed. They are omitted for rhetorical effect, that is, to render the sentence more agreeable and forcible. 5. Ellipsis generally takes place,— (a.) In coördinate constructions, to avoid the repetition of some common part; as,— "There are some who write, [and who] talk, [and who] think so much about vice and [about] virtue, that they have no time to practise either the one or the other." (b.) In certain subordinate constructions, especially those which denote comparison, for the same reason; as,— "Revenge is a stronger feeling than gratitude [is]. ” different as our faces [are]." (c.) In certain idiomatic constructions,— "Our minds are as (1.) In elements of the first class,—the subject of imperative sentences; as, "Go [thou]." "Awake [ye].” The noun after adjectives or after the possessive case; as, "The violent [persons] take it by force." "This book is mine," i. e., my book. (2.) In elements of the second class. The connective may be omitted. Examples. The to before the indirect object; as, "He gave [to] me a book." The to of the infinitive after bid, dare, let, make, hear, need, feel, see. To or unto after like, near; as, like [to] his father, near [to] the house. During, over, for, in, or on, before nouns denoting time, the measure of distance, magnitude, or excess; as, "They left [on] Monday." "They travelled [through] twenty miles." The object may be omitted; as, "The leaves were scattered around [us]." In such cases, the preposition is usually called an adverb. (3.) In elements of the third class. The connective may be omitted in substantive clauses in the objective; as, "My heart whispers [that] God is nigh.” In adjective clauses when the relative is in the objective; as, "The paper [which] we purchased is damaged." "The house [which] we went to stands on a hill." The subject and copula in expressions like "If [it is] possible, if necessary, if convenient, when agreeable, while absent," &c. The whole clause between as and if, as and though; as, "He seemed as [he would seem] if [he were] deranged." 66 (d.) In exclamatory sentences, in responsives, in inscriptions, and titles; [It is] strange!" "Whom did you see? [I saw] George." [This is] the New Testament." as, 6. Pleonasm is the use of superfluous words; as, "I know thee who thou art.” NOTE.-Pleonasm is the opposite of ellipsis, and may be said, in general, to take place where ellipsis should, but does not, take place. Ellipsis in coördinate, subordinate, and idiomatic constructions. Ellipsis in exclamatory sentences, &c. Pleonasm, 7. Pleonasm takes place, (a.) When the same idea is repeated in the same or in different words; as, "Verily, verily, I say unto you." "All ye inhabitants of the world, and dwellers on the earth.” 66 (6.) When a noun is introduced into a sentence, and then immediately represented in the same relation by a pronoun; as, 'Now Harry he had long suspected." (c.) When a noun or any other word is repeated in the same relation, for the purpose of modifying it; as, "That great God whom you see me daily worship; —*—*— that God who created the heavens and the earth; — — * — * —— this God who has done all these great things *this great God, the Creator of worlds, of angels, and men, is your Father and Friend." * 8. Enallage is a change of one part of speech for another, or some modification of a word for another; as, "They fall successive [ly] and successive [ly] rise." "We, Alexander, Emperor of Russia." Here, the plural number is used for the singular. 9. Hyperbaton is the transposition of words; as, "While its song rolls the woods along." 237. Exercise. 1. Supply the words omitted by ellipsis in the following:— Vigor from toil, from trouble patience grows. 2. Tell what figures occur in the following examples. The pilgrim fathers, where are they? Dark burned the candle. For Renard close attended at his heels. Sometimes with early morn, he mounted gay. Seven circling planets we behold. Say, burst they borrowed from her father's wounds these drops. 238. Figures of Rhetoric. 1. A figure of Rhetoric is a deviation from the ordinary application of a word; it is commonly called a trope. 2. Metaphor gives to an object the appropriate name of another object, on account of a resemblance between them; as, "Man! thou pendulum betwixt a smile and tear." 3. Simile is a formal comparison introduced by like, as, or so; as, "He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water." 4. An Allegory is a continued metaphor, forming a kind of parable or fable. For examples, see Pilgrim's Progress. See also the Eightieth Psalm. 5. Personification attributes to inanimate objects some of the qualities of living beings; as, "The sky saddens with the gathered storm." 6. Metonymy is a change of name; as, "You will address the chair;" i. e., the president. 7. Vision represents imaginary objects as real and present to the senses; as,— "See lofty Lebanon his head advance; See nodding forests on the mountains dance." 8. Synecdoche is the use of a part for the whole, or the whole for a part, as a sail for a ship, a roof for a house, the head for 9. Irony is the use of a word for its opposite; as, as virtuous as Nero;" i. e., as vile as Nero. "He was 10. Antithesis is the placing of contrary or opposite objects in contrast; as," Immortal, though no more; though fallen, great." 11. Hyperbole magnifies or diminishes an object beyond the truth; as, "Rivers of water run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law." 12. Exclamation is used to express some strong emotion of the mind; as, "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God!" Figures of Rhetoric. Metaphor. Simile. Allegory. Personification. Metonymy. Vision. Synecdoche. Irony. Antithesis. Hyperbole. Exclamation. 13. Interrogation is used to express a strong affirmation under the form of a question; as, "Hath he said it, and will he not do it?" 14. Apostrophe is a turning off from the subject to address some other person or thing; as, "Death is swallowed up in victory. O Death, where is thy sting? O Grave, where is thy victory?" 15. Climax is a series of members in a sentence, each rising in importance above the preceding. EXAMPLE." What hope is there remaining of liberty, if whatever is their pleasure it is lawful for them to do; if whatever it is lawful for them to do, they are able to do; if what they are able to do, they dare to do; if what they dare to do, they really execute; and if what they execute is no way offensive to you?" 239. Exercise. Point out the figures in the following: : "Yet at thy call the hardy tar pursued, Pale, but intrepid; sad, but unsubdued." 'Twas then his threshold first received a guest. "For a field of the dead rushes red on my sight, And the clans of Culloden are scatter'd in flight." He has at last assumed the sceptre. The power of appointment is vested in the crown. The garrison was put to the sword. In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat thy bread. The sea saw it and fled. Joseph is a fruitful bough. Devotion is a delicate and tender plant. A virtuous man, slandered by evil tongues, is like a diamond obscured by smoke. I will be to her a wall of fire. What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? They are swifter than eagles, they are stronger than lions. Canst thou by searching find out God? Canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? What a piece of work is man! how noble in reason! how infinite in faculties! in action, how like an angel! in apprehension, how like a God! It is only when some moral or political Waterloo or Solferino is to be fought, that he puts on the entire panoply of his gorgeous rhetoric. Explain the figures in 1 Kings xviii. 27; 2 Pet. i. 5-7; also Judges ix. 8-17. Interrogation. Apostrophe. Climax. |