Hysteron Proteron: Etymology, Literal and Conceptual Meanings
Etymology/Term:
The term “hysteron proteron” originates from Greek, where “hysteron” means “later” or “after,” and “proteron” means “earlier” or “before.” Together, it literally translates to “later earlier” or “the latter before.” In rhetoric, hysteron proteron is a figure of speech in which the natural or logical order of events is reversed, presenting what is actually later as if it occurred first. This device is often used for emphasis, dramatic effect, or to create a particular rhythm in speech or writing.
Hysteron proteron is a rhetorical device characterized by the inversion of the natural or logical order of events, presenting what is chronologically later as if it occurred first. This figure of speech is employed for emphasis, dramatic effect, or to create a specific rhythm in language. It involves a deliberate rearrangement of events, creating a temporal distortion for rhetorical impact.
Hysteron Proteron: Types and Examples in Everyday Life
Type of Hysteron Proteron
Example in Everyday Life
Structural Inversion
Saying “I can’t go to school because I haven’t finished my homework” instead of “I haven’t finished my homework because I can’t go to school.”
Temporal Distortion
Stating “I’m happy because I smiled” instead of “I smiled because I’m happy.”
Emphatic Rearrangement
Claiming “He cried out in pain as the car hit him” instead of “The car hit him, and he cried out in pain.”
Hysteron Proteron in Literature: Shakespearean Examples
“Macbeth”:
“And lighted fools the way to dusty death, all our yesterdays have.”
“Othello”:
“Put out the light, and then put out the light.”
“Romeo and Juliet”:
“Come, loving, black-browed night; come, gentle night; give me my Romeo.”
“Hamlet”:
“I must be kind only to be cruel.”
“Julius Caesar”:
“Cowards die many times before their deaths; the valiant never taste of death but once.”
“As You Like It”:
“Discretion, is the better part of Valour.”
“King Lear”:
“More than a man but less than a god.”
“Richard III”:
“My kingdom for a horse! A horse!”
Hysteron Proteron in Literature: Examples
Example: Alice Munro’s “Runaway”
Reference: “Runaway” (2004)
Hysteron Proteron: The protagonist leaves her husband before she realizes the true implications of her decision, creating a reversal of the expected order of emotional realization.
Example: Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Tell-Tale Heart”
Reference: “The Tell-Tale Heart” (1843)
Hysteron Proteron: The narrator begins by insisting on their sanity and then proceeds to recount the events that prove their madness, inverting the logical order of explanation.
Example: James Joyce’s “A Little Cloud”
Reference: “Dubliners” (1914)
Hysteron Proteron: The protagonist fantasizes about literary success before he even attempts to write or take any concrete steps toward achieving his aspirations.
Example: Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery”
Reference: “The Lottery” (1948)
Hysteron Proteron: The townspeople engage in a ritualistic lottery without fully understanding or questioning its purpose, reversing the usual order of skepticism and inquiry.
Example: O. Henry’s “The Gift of the Magi”
Reference: “The Gift of the Magi” (1905)
Hysteron Proteron: The characters sell their most prized possessions to buy gifts for each other, only realizing the irony and sacrifice after the exchange has occurred.
Example: Raymond Carver’s “Cathedral”
Reference: “Cathedral” (1981)
Hysteron Proteron: The blind man teaches the narrator to “see” without visual perception, challenging the conventional order of understanding and insight.
Example: Kate Chopin’s “The Story of an Hour”
Reference: “The Story of an Hour” (1894)
Hysteron Proteron: Mrs. Mallard feels liberated and joyful at the news of her husband’s death before the shock of his unexpected return.
Hysteron Proteron: Goodman Brown experiences the depravity of the townspeople in the forest before realizing the potential corruption of his wife and community.
Example: Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s “A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings”
Reference: “A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings” (1955)
Hysteron Proteron: The townspeople react with curiosity and disbelief to the old man’s wings before understanding the profound nature of his presence.
Example: Anton Chekhov’s “The Lady with the Dog”
Reference: “The Lady with the Dog” (1899)
Hysteron Proteron: The characters fall in love before fully understanding the complexities and consequences of their affair, reversing the typical order of emotional involvement.
Hysteron Proteron in Literature: Relevance in Literary Theories
Epizeuxis is a literary device characterized by the immediate and consecutive repetition of a word or phrase within a short span, employed for emphasis and heightened emotional impact in writing or speech.
Epizeuxis: Etymology, Literal and Conceptual Meanings
Epizeuxis Etymology/Term:
Epizeuxis, stemming from the Greek term “epizeugnynai,” translates to “to join together” or “to fasten upon.” In rhetoric, epizeuxis is a powerful device characterized by the immediate repetition of a word or phrase for emphasis, intensifying the impact of expression within a sentence or phrase.
Literal Meaning:
Repetition: Involves the immediate, consecutive repetition of a word or phrase.
Sequential Placement: The repeated words are positioned closely within a sentence or clause.
Conceptual Meaning:
Emphasis: Significantly emphasizes a specific word or phrase, making it stand out.
Intensity: Adds urgency, passion, or heightened emotion to the expression of an idea.
Rhythmic Impact: Contributes to the rhythm and cadence of a text, enhancing memorability and impact.
Epizeuxis is a literary device characterized by the immediate and consecutive repetition of a word or phrase within a short span, employed for emphasis and heightened emotional impact in writing or speech. It serves to underscore and intensify a particular idea, creating a memorable and forceful expression.
Epizeuxis: Types and Examples
Type of Epizeuxis
Example
Single-word Epizeuxis
“Stop! Stop!”
Phrase Epizeuxis
“Never, never give up!”
Sentence Epizeuxis
“This is the day, this is the hour, this is our moment!”
Emphatic Epizeuxis
“I want it now, now, not later!”
Expressive Epizeuxis
“Amazing! Amazing performance!”
Epizeuxis can be observed in various forms, ranging from the repetition of a single word for emphasis to the repetition of entire sentences, and it is commonly used in everyday communication to convey urgency, strong emotions, or emphasis on specific points.
Epizeuxis in Literature: Examples
Shakespeare’s“Hamlet”:
“Never, never, never, never, never!”
William Faulkner’s “The Sound and the Fury”:
“I give you the mausoleum of all hope and desire; I give it to you not that you may remember time, but that you might forget it now and then for a moment and not spend your breath trying to conquer it.”
Charles Dickens’A Tale of Two Cities:
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.”
Martin Luther King Jr.’s“I Have a Dream” speech:
“I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed.”
Edgar Allan Poe’s“The Tell-Tale Heart”:
“True!—nervous—very, very dreadfully nervous I had been and am; but why will you say that I am mad? The disease has only sharpened my senses—not destroyed—not dulled them.”
Walt Whitman’s“Song of Myself”:
“O Captain! my Captain! our fearful trip is done.”
Dr. Seuss’ “Green Eggs and Ham”:
“I do not like green eggs and ham. I
do not like them, Sam-I-am.”
Epizeuxis in Literature: Relevance in Literary Theories
Literary Theory
Role of Epizeuxis
Example
Rhetorical Theory
Emphasizes the persuasive or emotive aspects of language. Epizeuxis is a powerful rhetorical device that can enhance persuasion.
Examines the psychological aspects of characters and authors. Epizeuxis may be analyzed in terms of its reflection of characters’ emotional states or conflicts.
“True!—nervous—very, very dreadfully nervous I had been and am…” – Poe’s “The Tell-Tale Heart”
It is important to note that literary theories often overlap, and the application of epizeuxis in a particular context may be subject to multiple interpretations.
Epizeuxis in Literature: Relevant Terms
Term
Definition
Epizeuxis
Immediate repetition of a word or phrase for emphasis.
Anastrophe is a literary device in which the normal word order of a sentence is reversed for emphasis or stylistic effect.
Anastrophe: Etymology/Term, Literal and Conceptual Meanings
Etymology/Term:
Anastrophe, derived from the Greek word “anastrephein,” meaning “to turn back” or “to invert,” is a rhetorical device in which the normal word order of a sentence is reversed for emphasis or stylistic effect. This departure from conventional syntax aims to draw attention to specific words or ideas, creating a distinctive and memorable expression. Anastrophe is often employed in literature, poetry, and rhetoric to evoke a particular tone or to highlight key elements within a sentence.
Literal Meaning:
In its literal sense, anastrophe involves the rearrangement of words in a sentence.
It disrupts the typical subject-verb-object order.
Example: “Into the forest deep, I walked” uses anastrophe by placing the prepositional phrase at the beginning for emphasis.
Conceptual Meaning:
Beyond its literal application, anastrophe carries a conceptual meaning.
It can evoke a sense of urgency, importance, or poetic rhythm.
This rhetorical device enables writers and speakers to creatively manipulate language.
It encourages the audience to engage more deeply with the text.
Anastrophe enhances the overall impact of the message.
Anastrophe: Definition as a Literary Device
Anastrophe is a literary device in which the normal word order of a sentence is reversed for emphasis or stylistic effect. It involves placing the subject, verb, or object in an unusual position, creating a deviation from standard syntax. By altering the typical word order, anastrophe draws attention to specific words or ideas, adding emphasis and enhancing the overall impact of the expression.
Anastrophe: Types and Examples
Type
Example
Explanation
Prepositional
“Into the forest deep, I walked.”
Anastrophe shifts the prepositional phrase to the beginning, emphasizing the depth of the forest.
Adjective
“Eternal the bond, unbreakable our friendship.”
The inversion emphasizes the enduring nature of the bond and the strength of the friendship.
Verb
“In the meadow danced the butterflies.”
By placing the verb first, anastrophe highlights the graceful movement of the butterflies in the meadow.
Noun
“Of wisdom, the ancient tree spoke.”
Anastrophe places the noun first, drawing attention to the ancient tree and its wisdom.
Subject-Object
“The stars, I counted every one.”
Inverting the subject and object, this anastrophe emphasizes the personal act of counting each star.
Adverbial Phrase
“With determination, she faced the challenge.”
The adverbial phrase takes precedence, emphasizing the determination with which she faced the challenge.
Article Adjective
“An angel, she appeared before him.”
Anastrophe places the article adjective first, emphasizing the angelic nature of her appearance.
Pronominal
“Them, I do not trust.”
Placing the pronoun first, anastrophe highlights the lack of trust in “them.”
Anastrophe in Literature: Shakespearean Examples
Prepositional:
Original: “In fair Verona, where we lay our scene.”
Explanation: Shakespeare inverts the prepositional phrase to emphasize the setting, fair Verona, at the beginning of the prologue in “Romeo and Juliet.”
Adjective:
Original: “Eternal joy and jubilee shall reign.”
Explanation: This anastrophe from “Henry VI, Part 1” emphasizes the enduring nature of joy and jubilee.
Verb:
Original: “In thy youth’s proud livery, so gazed on now.”
Explanation: Shakespeare employs anastrophe in “Sonnet 18” by placing the verb “gazed” before the subject, highlighting the enduring beauty of the poem’s subject.
Noun:
Original: “Of all the wonders that I yet have heard, it seems to me most strange.”
Explanation: In “Othello,” anastrophe places the noun “wonders” first, emphasizing the speaker’s amazement.
Subject-Object:
Original: “The fair Ophelia! Nymph, in thy orisons be all my sins remembered.”
Explanation: Hamlet addresses Ophelia with anastrophe, placing the subject “Nymph” before the verb, creating a poetic and reverent tone.
Adverbial Phrase:
Original: “With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come.”
Explanation: In “The Merchant of Venice,” Shakespeare uses anastrophe to emphasize the adverbial phrase, expressing a cheerful perspective on aging.
Article Adjective:
Original: “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”
Explanation: This famous line from “Romeo and Juliet” features anastrophe with the article adjective “A” at the beginning, highlighting the central metaphor.
Pronominal:
Original: “Them in thy course untainted do allow.”
Explanation: In “Sonnet 15,” anastrophe is used to emphasize the pronoun “Them,” referring to the hours, and their untainted passage.
Interjection:
Original: “Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio.”
Explanation: Hamlet’s lament over Yorick inverts the interjection “Alas,” creating a mournful tone in this iconic scene.
Conjunction:
Original: “But break, my heart, for I must hold my tongue.”
Explanation: The anastrophe in this line from “Hamlet” places the conjunction “But” at the beginning, intensifying the speaker’s internal conflict.
Anastrophe in Literature: Examples
William Wordsworth – “Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey” (1798):
Original: “A presence that disturbs me with the joy / Of elevated thoughts.”
Anastrophe: “Of elevated thoughts, a presence that disturbs me with the joy.”
Wordsworth often employed anastrophe to create a more natural and rhythmic flow in his poetry.
William Shakespeare – “Hamlet” (c. 1600):
Original: “This above all: to thine own self be true.”
Anastrophe: “To thine own self be true: this above all.”
Shakespeare frequently used anastrophe for dramatic and rhetorical effect in his plays.
Charles Dickens – “A Tale of Two Cities” (1859):
Original: “So many hundred hands in this last week have help to give it, that it is difficult to say whose.”
Anastrophe: “So many hundred hands in this last week have helped to give it, that it is difficult to say whose.”
Dickens, known for his elaborate prose, occasionally employed anastrophe to enhance the flow of his sentences.
John Milton – “Paradise Lost” (1667):
Original: “High on a throne of royal state, which far / Outshone the wealth of Ormus and of Ind.”
Anastrophe: “High on a throne of royal state, which of Ormus and of Ind far / Outshone the wealth.”
Milton used anastrophe to add a poetic touch to his epic poem.
Emily Dickinson – “Because I could not stop for Death” (c. 1862):
Original: “And I had put away / My labor and my leisure too, / For His Civility—”
Anastrophe: “And I had put away / For His Civility— my labor and my leisure too.”
Dickinson’s unconventional style often included the use of anastrophe to create a unique poetic voice.
Edgar Allan Poe – “The Raven” (1845):
Original: “Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing.”
Anastrophe: “Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there fearing, wondering.”
Poe utilized anastrophe to enhance the mysterious and eerie atmosphere in his works.
Alexander Pope – “The Rape of the Lock” (1712):
Original: “There died the best of passions, Love and Fame.”
Anastrophe: “There died the best of passions, Fame and Love.”
Pope often employed anastrophe for satirical and rhetorical purposes in his poetry.
These examples showcase how anastrophe is used by various authors across different time periods and genres to achieve specific stylistic or rhetorical effects in their writing.
Anastrophe in Literature: Relevance in Literary Theories
Author, Work, and Example
Relevance in Literary Theories
William Wordsworth “Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey” (1798) Example: “Of elevated thoughts, a presence that disturbs me with the joy.”
Romanticism – Enhancing natural and rhythmic flow.
William Shakespeare “Hamlet” (c. 1600) Example: “To thine own self be true: this above all.”
Renaissance Drama – Dramatic and rhetorical emphasis.
Charles Dickens “A Tale of Two Cities” (1859) Example: “So many hundred hands in this last week have helped to give it, that it is difficult to say whose.”
Victorian Prose – Enhancing prose rhythm and readability.
John Milton “Paradise Lost” (1667) Example: “High on a throne of royal state, which of Ormus and of Ind far / Outshone the wealth.”
Epic Poetry – Adding a poetic touch to the narrative.
Emily Dickinson “Because I could not stop for Death” (c. 1862) Example: “And I had put away / For His Civility— my labor and my leisure too.”
American Romanticism – Unique voice and expression.
Edgar Allan Poe “The Raven” (1845) Example: “Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there fearing, wondering.”
Gothic Literature – Enhancing mysterious atmosphere.
Alexander Pope “The Rape of the Lock” (1712) Example: “There died the best of passions, Fame and Love.”
Augustan Satire – Rhetorical and satirical purposes.
Anastrophe in Literature: Relevant Terms
Anastrophe: Inversion of the usual word order for emphasis or poetic effect.
Metaphor: Figurative language that suggests a direct comparison between unrelated things.
Alliteration: Repetition of initial consonant sounds in close proximity.
Foreshadowing: Hinting at future events in a narrative to create anticipation.
Irony: A contrast between expectation and reality, often with a twist.
Symbolism: The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities beyond their literal meaning.
Personification: Attributing human characteristics to non-human entities.