Anadiplosis in Literature: Introduction
Anadiplosis in literature, a rhetorical device, serves as a compelling linguistic tool to create style and attraction in the written discourse. This figure of speech involves the deliberate repetition of a word or phrase at the end of one clause or sentence, only to be subsequently employed at the beginning of the next. By forging a seamless connection between thoughts, anadiplosis not only enhances the rhythmic quality of prose but also underscores the thematic resonance of the reiterated term. Widely employed in literature, anadiplosis contributes to the creation of memorable and persuasive narratives, fostering a sense of continuity and emphasis that resonates with readers, drawing attention to key ideas and reinforcing the thematic fabric of the text.
Anadiplosis in Literature: Shakespearean Examples
Anadiplosis is a rhetorical device in which a word or phrase at the end of one clause or sentence is repeated at the beginning of the next clause or sentence. While Shakespeare is not known for using anadiplosis as extensively as some other rhetorical devices, there are still instances where he employs this technique for emphasis or poetic effect. Here are a few examples:
- From “Richard II” (Act 2, Scene 1):
- Original: “This royal throne of kings, this scepter’d isle… This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England.”
In this example, Shakespeare repeats the word “this” to emphasize and evoke a sense of pride and ownership.
Shakespeare uses anadiplosis with the repetition of “hand” to build tension in this moment of confrontation between characters.
- From “Julius Caesar” (Act 3, Scene 2):
- Original: “Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more. Had you rather Caesar were living and die all slaves, than that Caesar were dead, to live all freemen?”
Here, Shakespeare uses anadiplosis with the repetition of “loved” to highlight the conflict between personal feelings and a sense of duty to the state.
While not as common in Shakespeare’s works as in some other forms of literature or rhetoric, anadiplosis can still be found in various plays, demonstrating the Bard’s mastery of language and his ability to employ a wide range of rhetorical devices for dramatic and poetic effect.
Anadiplosis in Literature: Examples (modified for examples)
- From Charles Dickens’ “A Tale of Two Cities”:
- Anadiplosis: The repeated structure is “the [noun (time)] of.”
- Revised: “The epoch of incredulity, the season of light, the spring of hope, and the winter of despair.”
- From Mark Antony’s speech in William Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar” (Act 3, Scene 2):
- Anadiplosis: The repeated structure is “your [noun].”
- Revised: “Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears; I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him.”
- From Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech:
- Anadiplosis: The repeated structure is “the true meaning of its [noun].”
- Revised: “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.'”
- From John Milton’s “Paradise Lost”:
- Anadiplosis: The repeated structure is “a [noun] of.”
- Revised: “The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven.”
- From Emily Brontë’s “Wuthering Heights”:
- Anadiplosis: The repeated structure is “his and mine are the [adjective].”
- Revised: “Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.”
- From F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby”:
- Anadiplosis: The repeated structure is “borne back [adverb] into the [noun].”
- Revised: “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.”
- From John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address:
- Anadiplosis: The repeated structure is “what you can do for your [noun].”
- Revised: “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.”
- From Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice”:
- Anadiplosis: The repeated structure is “the more I [verb] of [noun].”
- Revised: “The more I see of the world, the more am I dissatisfied with it; and every day confirms my belief in the inconsistency of all human characters.”
- From William Wordsworth’s “Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey”:
- Anadiplosis: The repeated structure is “five [noun].”
- Revised: “Five years have passed; five summers, with the length of five long winters!”
- From Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken”:
- Anadiplosis: The repeated structure is “the one less traveled by, And that has made all the [noun].”
- Revised: “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.”
In each example, anadiplosis is identified by the repetition of a word or phrase at the end of one clause or sentence and at the beginning of the next. The revised versions maintain the original meaning while making the structure more explicit for clarity.
Anadiplosis in Literature: Relevance in Literary Theories
| Literary Theory | Relevance of Anadiplosis |
| Structuralism | Anadiplosis contributes to the structure of a text, creating patterns and repetition that may carry meaning and contribute to the overall organization of the work. |
| Reader-Response Theory | Anadiplosis engages the reader by creating rhythm and emphasis, influencing the reader’s interpretation and emotional response to the text. |
| Deconstructionism | Anadiplosis, with its repetition, can be deconstructed to explore how linguistic elements destabilize and challenge fixed meanings within a text. |
| Feminist Literary Theory | Anadiplosis may be analyzed in terms of gendered language and power dynamics, revealing how repetition reinforces or challenges traditional gender roles. |
| Marxist Literary Criticism | Anadiplosis can be examined for its role in reinforcing or subverting social and economic structures, highlighting power dynamics and societal hierarchies. |
| Psychoanalytic Criticism | Anadiplosis may be analyzed for its subconscious effects on readers, delving into how repetition influences the psyche and contributes to the work’s overall emotional impact. |
| Postcolonial Literary Theory | Anadiplosis might be explored in the context of colonial language and its effects on identity, examining how repetition reinforces or challenges colonial discourse. |
| New Historicism | Anadiplosis can be studied within the historical context of a text, shedding light on how repetition reflects or reacts to the cultural and historical milieu. |
| Queer Theory | Anadiplosis may be examined for its role in reinforcing or challenging heteronormative language and attitudes, contributing to the representation of queer identities. |
| Ecocriticism | Anadiplosis might be analyzed in terms of its relation to nature and the environment, exploring how repetition contributes to ecological themes in literature. |
It is important to note that the applicability of these theories may vary based on the specific literary work, context, and the intentions of the author. Literary theories provide different lenses through which anadiplosis and other literary devices can be analyzed, enriching our understanding of the text.
Anadiplosis in Literature: Relevant Terms
| Term | Definition |
| Anadiplosis | Repetition of a word at the end of one phrase and the start of the next. |
| Rhetorical Device | Literary technique for persuasion or emotive impact. |
| Emphasis | Stress given to a word or idea, often through repetition. |
| Parallelism | Repeating grammatical structures for balance and rhythm. |
| Rhythm | Pattern of sounds, often created by repeated elements. |
| Literary Device | Author’s tool for conveying meaning or enhancing impact. |
| Syntax | Arrangement of words for well-formed sentences. |
| Figure of Speech | Expressive language use, including anadiplosis. |
| Cadence | Rhythmic flow in a sequence of sounds or words. |
| Cohesion | Connection and flow between ideas, often through repetition. |
Anadiplosis in Literature: Suggested Readings
- Angelou, Maya. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. Random House, 1969.
- Aristotle. Rhetoric. Translated by W. Rhys Roberts, Dover Publications, 2004.
- Burke, Kenneth. A Grammar of Motives. University of California Press, 1969.
- Byron, Lord. Don Juan. Penguin Classics, 2008.
- Corbett, Edward P. J., and Robert J. Connors. Classical Rhetoric for the Modern Student. Oxford University Press, 1998.
- Fahnestock, Jeanne, and Marie Secor. A Rhetoric of Argument: Text and Reader. McGraw-Hill, 2014.
- Hemingway, Ernest. The Old Man and the Sea. Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1952.
- Lanham, Richard A. A Handlist of Rhetorical Terms. University of California Press, 1991.
- Suess, Dr. Green Eggs and Ham. Beginner Books, 1960.
