Polysyndeton: A Rhetorical Device

Etymology of Polysyndeton

The term “polysyndeton” comes from the Greek words polys, meaning “many,” and “syndeton,” meaning “bound together.” The word was first used in English in the 1570s to describe the rhetorical device of using multiple conjunctions in close succession.

Meanings of Polysyndeton

Meaning	Description
Rhetorical Device	Polysyndeton is a rhetorical device in which conjunctions (such as “and,” “or,” “but”) are intentionally repeated in close succession within a sentence or passage.
Repetitive Conjunctions	It involves the repetitive use of conjunctions to emphasize each item or idea in a list, creating a distinct rhythmic and syntactic effect.
Emphasis and Intensity	Through its repetition of conjunctions, polysyndeton brings emphasis and intensity to the narrative, speech, or writing, making the content more vivid and impactful.
Abundance and Pacing	This device contributes to a sense of abundance and pacing by maintaining a continuous flow of ideas or items, potentially conveying a feeling of richness or overflowing content.
Structural Variation	Polysyndeton provides a structural variation in sentence composition, allowing writers and speakers to manipulate the rhythm and cadence of their text, enhancing its overall aesthetic and communicative power.

Polysyndeton in Grammar

• Grammatical Form: “Polysyndeton” is a noun that is typically used in the singular form.
• Plural Form: Its plural form is “polysyndeta.”
• Singular Verb: When used in a sentence, “polysyndeton” takes a singular verb. For example, “Polysyndeton is a powerful rhetorical device,” rather than “Polysyndeta are a powerful rhetorical device.”

Short Definition of Polysyndeton

Polysyndeton is a literary device that involves the repetitive use of conjunctions (e.g., “and,” “or,” “but”) within phrases, clauses, or sentences. This repetition creates rhythm, emphasizes each item, and can convey a sense of abundance, urgency, or chaos. It’s often used in literature, poetry, prose, and speeches to achieve specific effects.

Common Examples of Polysyndeton

1. “I came, and I saw, and I conquered.”: This famous phrase by Julius Caesar uses polysyndeton to emphasize each action and create a sense of momentum.
2. “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”: This biblical verse employs polysyndeton to emphasize the various reasons for rejoicing.
3. “They lived and laughed and loved and left.”: This poetic line uses polysyndeton to create a rhythmic and poignant effect.
4. “We have not power, nor influence, nor money, nor authority.”: This example showcases how polysyndeton can emphasize a list of lacking attributes.
5. “He was brave and strong and noble.”: Polysyndeton in this sentence enhances the qualities being attributed to the subject.
6. “I walked the dog, cleaned the house, ran errands, and cooked dinner.”: This everyday example uses polysyndeton to emphasize a series of tasks.
7. “The storm raged, the winds howled, the rain poured.”: Polysyndeton intensifies the description of the storm’s elements.
8. “She was smart and kind and funny and talented.”: This example employs polysyndeton to highlight positive traits of a person.
9. “I want to swim and sunbathe and read and relax.”: Polysyndeton adds a sense of leisurely pace to the activities described.
10. “We can either learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.”: This quote by Martin Luther King Jr. uses polysyndeton to emphasize the options.
11. “The concert was loud and vibrant and unforgettable and magical.”: Polysyndeton intensifies the description of the concert experience.
12. “He talked and laughed and danced and sang all night.”: Polysyndeton emphasizes the various actions the subject engaged in.
13. “The house was big and old and creaky and dark.”: Polysyndeton adds emphasis to the characteristics of the house.
14. “They argued and debated and discussed for hours.”: Polysyndeton accentuates the duration and depth of the conversation.
15. “She wore a crown and a gown and a smile and grace.”: Polysyndeton emphasizes the elements of the subject’s appearance and demeanor.
16. “I’m going to the park to play and run and jump and swing.”: Polysyndeton highlights the playful activities planned.
17. “The story was gripping and intense and suspenseful and thrilling.”: Polysyndeton amplifies the description of the story’s qualities.
18. “He faced challenges with determination and courage and resilience.”: Polysyndeton emphasizes the subject’s attributes in overcoming challenges.

Literary Examples of Polysyndeton

Excerpt	Explanation of Polysyndeton
Excerpt from “The Sound and the Fury” by William Faulkner: “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 all your breath trying to conquer it.”	In this passage, taken from William Faulkner’s The Sound and the Fury, the author employs polysyndeton by repetitively using the conjunction “and” in phrases such as “all hope and desire” and “now and then for a moment.” This deliberate repetition creates a rhythmic and flowing effect in the text, compelling readers to pay attention to each component in the list. This technique emphasizes the significance of the mausoleum as a symbol and encourages readers to contemplate its profound meaning.
Excerpt from “The Old Man and the Sea” by Ernest Hemingway: “Everything about him was old except his eyes and they were the same color as the sea and were cheerful and undefeated.”	Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea contains an example of polysyndeton in the phrase “cheerful and undefeated.” This literary device, which involves the repetitive use of the conjunction “and,” underscores and connects the qualities attributed to the old man’s eyes. The repeated structure reinforces the notion that his eyes are not just old but also possess a unique and resilient quality, mirroring the story’s theme of endurance.
Excerpt from “Moby-Dick” by Herman Melville: “Whenever I find myself growing grim about the mouth; whenever it is a damp, drizzly November in my soul; whenever I find myself involuntarily pausing before coffin warehouses, and bringing up the rear of every funeral I meet; and especially whenever my hypos get such an upper hand of me, that it requires a strong moral principle to prevent me from deliberately stepping into the street, and methodically knocking people’s hats off—then, I account it high time to get to the sea as soon as I can.”	In this passage from Moby-Dick by Herman Melville, the author employs polysyndeton by frequently using the conjunction “whenever” to introduce a series of conditions or circumstances. This repetition builds a sense of accumulation and highlights the various triggers that compel the narrator to seek solace in the sea. It underscores the idea that the sea serves as a remedy for his troubles and introduces a rhythmic quality to the narrative.
Excerpt from “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” by Mark Twain: “We catched fish, and talked, and we took a swim now and then to keep off sleepiness. It was kind of solemn, drifting down the big, still river, laying on our backs looking up at the stars, and we didn’t ever feel like talking loud, and it warn’t often that we laughed—only a little kind of a low chuckle.”	Within this excerpt from The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, polysyndeton is evident through the repeated use of the conjunction “and” in phrases like “we catched fish, and talked, and we took a swim.” This stylistic choice serves to create a sense of continuous and leisurely activity, emphasizing the companionship and tranquility of the moment. The repetitive structure contributes to the portrayal of a relaxed and contemplative atmosphere as Huck and Jim peacefully drift down the river.

Suggested Readings

1. Faulkner, William. The Sound and the Fury. Vintage, 1990.
2. Hemingway, Ernest. The Old Man and the Sea. Scribner, 1995.
3. Kennedy, X. J., and Dana Gioia. Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Writing. Pearson, 2020.
4. Lanham, Richard A. A Handlist of Rhetorical Terms. University of California Press, 1991.
5. Leech, Geoffrey N., and Michael H. Short. Style in Fiction: A Linguistic Introduction to English Fictional Prose. Routledge, 2007.
6. Melville, Herman. Moby-Dick. Norton Critical Editions, 2001.
7. Oliver, Mary. A Poetry Handbook. Harcourt Brace & Company, 1994.
8. Twain, Mark. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Penguin Classics, 2002.
9. Vickers, Brian. Classical Rhetoric in English Poetry. University of Michigan Press, 1970.
10. Wimsatt, W. K., and Monroe C. Beardsley. The Verbal Icon: Studies in the Meaning of Poetry. University of Kentucky Press, 2013.