Epistrophe: Etymology
The term “epistrophe” traces its origin to the Greek word “epistrophē,” derived from “epi” meaning “upon” and “strophē” meaning “turn” or “twist.” In rhetoric, epistrophe refers to the repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive clauses, sentences, or verses, contributing to emphasis, rhythm, and rhetorical impact in discourse.
Epistrophe: Literal and Conceptual Meanings
| Literal Meanings of Epistrophe | Conceptual Meanings of Epistrophe |
| 1. Repetition at the End: The recurrence of a word or phrase at the end of successive clauses or sentences. | 1. Emphasis and Reinforcement: Creates emphasis on the repeated term, reinforcing a central idea or theme. |
| 2. Structural Device: Functions as a structural device in rhetoric, contributing to the overall organization of a speech or text. | 2. Rhythmic Effect: Enhances the rhythmic quality of language, adding a memorable cadence to the discourse. |
| 3. Cohesion in Expression: Serves to tie together and unify disparate elements within a piece of writing or speech. | 3. Stylistic Flourish: Adds a stylistic flourish to language, heightening the rhetorical impact and engaging the audience. |
| 4. Artistic Repetition: Exhibits an artistic use of repetition, allowing for nuanced variations in meaning or tone. | 4. Persuasive Tool: Acts as a persuasive tool, compelling the audience to reflect on and internalize the reiterated concept. |
| 5. Structural Parallelism: Creates a sense of parallelism in the structure, guiding the listener or reader through a cohesive and structured argument. | 5. Memorability: Contributes to the memorability of key points, as the repetition aids in retention and recall. |
Epistrophe, both in its literal repetition and its broader conceptual implications, serves as a versatile rhetorical device that enhances the expressive and persuasive qualities of language.
Epistrophe: Definition as a Literary Device
Epistrophe, a rhetorical device, involves the deliberate repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive clauses, sentences, or verses. This repetition serves to emphasize the repeated term, creating a rhythmic cadence and contributing to the overall cohesion and structure of the discourse. Epistrophe is employed for its rhetorical impact, providing emphasis, stylistic nuance, and a persuasive quality to written or spoken language.
Epistrophe: Types
| Type of Epistrophe | Example |
| Single-word Epistrophe | * “Love, love, love – that’s what it’s all about.” |
| Phrase Epistrophe | * “To see you is to see the universe; to know you is to know peace.” |
| Clause Epistrophe | * “He spoke with passion, he spoke with conviction, he spoke with authority.” |
| Sentence Epistrophe | * “In every victory, in every defeat, in every challenge, we find our strength.” |
| Stanzaic Epistrophe | * “She sang in the morning, she sang in the evening, she sang under the moonlit sky.” |
| Conversational Epistrophe | * “I told you to be patient. I told you to be strong. I told you to believe.” |
| Exclamatory Epistrophe | * “What a day! What a journey! What a life!” |
| Reflective Epistrophe | * “In the mirror, you find yourself. In the mirror, you find truth. In the mirror, you find beauty.” |
| Questioning Epistrophe | * “Why do we strive? Why do we dream? Why do we endure?” |
| Refrain Epistrophe | * “Day after day, night after night, we carry on, we carry on.” |
These examples illustrate various forms of epistrophes, showcasing its adaptability across different linguistic constructs, from single words and phrases to more complex sentence structures and poetic stanzas.
Epistrophe: Examples in Everyday Life
- Political Speeches:
- Example: “Government of the people, by the people, for the people.”
- Explanation: Abraham Lincoln’s famous epistrophe in the Gettysburg Address emphasizes the enduring nature of a government rooted in the people.
- Advertising Slogans:
- Example: “Just do it.”
- Explanation: Nike’s slogan employs epistrophe to reinforce the idea of taking action, creating a memorable and impactful tagline.
- Religious Texts:
- Example: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
- Explanation: The repeated phrase in the Beatitudes from the Bible employs epistrophe for emphasis and to convey a sense of spiritual hierarchy.
- Speeches of Civil Rights Movement:
- Example: “We shall overcome. We shall overcome. We shall overcome.”
- Explanation: The repetition of “We shall overcome” in speeches during the Civil Rights Movement symbolizes unity, resilience, and determination.
- Poetry:
- Example: “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up.”
- Explanation: Martin Luther King Jr.’s iconic speech uses epistrophes to articulate his vision and create a powerful rhythmic impact.
- Educational Lectures:
- Example: “Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.”
- Explanation: Malcolm X’s epistrophes underscore the importance of education in shaping the future.
- Song Lyrics:
- Example: “Because I knew you, I have been changed for good.”
- Explanation: The repetition in the song “For Good” from the musical Wicked adds emotional weight and underscores the transformative power of relationships.
- Motivational Speeches:
- Example: “Believe in yourself. You are braver than you think, more talented than you know, and capable of more than you imagine.”
- Explanation: The repeated affirmations in this motivational quote utilize epistrophe for encouragement and reinforcement.
- Protest Slogans:
- Example: “No justice, no peace.”
- Explanation: Commonly used in protests, these epistrophes emphasizes the inseparable connection between justice and peace.
- Social Media Posts:
- Example: “Live authentically. Live brilliantly. Live beautifully.”
- Explanation: Social media influencers often use epistrophes to create catchy and impactful expressions, emphasizing the positive aspects of living authentically.
Epistrophe in Literature: Suggested Readings
- Eliot, T.S. The Waste Land. Harcourt, Brace and Company, 1922.
- Morrison, Toni. Beloved. Alfred A. Knopf, 1987.
- Whitman, Walt. Leaves of Grass. David McKay, 1855.
- Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. Edited by Harold Jenkins, Arden Shakespeare, 1982.
- Angelou, Maya. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. Random House, 1969.
- Faulkner, William. As I Lay Dying. Jonathan Cape and Harrison Smith, 1930.
- Woolf, Virginia. To the Lighthouse. Hogarth Press, 1927.
- Hemingway, Ernest. The Old Man and the Sea. Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1952.
- Dickinson, Emily. The Collected Poems of Emily Dickinson. Edited by Thomas H. Johnson, Faber and Faber, 1951.
- Orwell, George. 1984. Secker & Warburg, 1949.
- Booth, Wayne C. Rhetoric of Fiction. University of Chicago Press, 1961.