Syllepsis: Etymology, Meanings, and Concept
Etymology/Term:
Syllepsis originates from the Greek word “syllepsis,” meaning “a taking together.” The term was introduced into English through Latin. In rhetoric, syllepsis refers to a figure of speech where a single word governs or modifies two or more words, though it must be understood differently in relation to each.
Meanings:
- Semantic Duality: Syllepsis involves a word that, though grammatically linked to multiple elements in a sentence, carries different meanings with each, creating a form of semantic duality.
- Clever Ambiguity: It introduces clever ambiguity or surprise, engaging the audience in deciphering the nuanced meanings associated with the shared word.
Concept:
- Single Governing Word: Syllepsis hinges on a single word serving as a connecting thread to two or more elements within a sentence, maintaining grammatical coherence.
- Distinct Interpretations: The shared word, while syntactically linked, prompts distinct interpretations in the context of each element it modifies, often contributing to humor or rhetorical effect.
- Wordplay and Wit: Employed for its witty effect, syllepsis allows for wordplay, exploiting the richness of language and offering a nuanced and often humorous perspective on the relationships between words in a sentence.
Syllepsis: Definition as a Literary Device
Syllepsis, as a literary device, involves a singular word that governs or modifies two or more others in a sentence, creating semantic duality. This figure of speech relies on the word’s ability to be understood differently in relation to each element it modifies, leading to clever ambiguity and often contributing to humor or rhetorical impact. Syllepsis adds depth to language by playing on the multiple meanings of a shared word within a sentence.
Syllepsis: Types and Examples
| Type of Syllepsis | Explanation | Example |
| Grammatical | Involves a word that applies to multiple elements in a sentence in different grammatical senses. | “He stole my heart and my wallet.” |
| Zeugma | The shared word governs or modifies two elements, but the connection is more metaphorical or abstract. | “She stole my heart and my favorite book.” |
| Semantic | The word has different meanings with each element it modifies, creating a semantic shift. | “He wore a path in my heart and my carpet.” |
| Pseudo-Syllepsis | The word seems to connect to multiple elements, but one of the connections is more implied or metaphorical. | “He stole my heart and the car keys.” |
| Syllepsis with Adjectives | The shared word is an adjective that applies differently to two or more nouns, creating a play on meanings. | “She wore a smile and a red dress to the party.” |
This table provides a concise breakdown of various types of syllepsis, each explained with a brief description and accompanied by illustrative examples.
Syllepsis: Examples in Everyday Life
- Grammatical:
- Conversation: “He took my advice and my sandwich.”
- Explanation: The word “took” applies to both “advice” and “sandwich” in different grammatical senses, creating a play on the literal and metaphorical meanings.
- Zeugma:
- Conversation: “She lost her keys and her cool at the party.”
- Explanation: The word “lost” governs both “keys” and “cool,” with “cool” being used in a more abstract, emotional sense.
- Semantic:
- Conversation: “He played a song on my heart and my guitar.”
- Explanation: The word “played” has different meanings when applied to “song” (metaphorical) and “guitar” (literal), creating a semantic shift.
- Pseudo-Syllepsis:
- Conversation: “She stole my thunder and the spotlight.”
- Explanation: While “stole” seems to connect to both “thunder” and “spotlight,” the connection with “thunder” is more metaphorical.
- Syllepsis with Adjectives:
- Conversation: “He wore a smile and a tired expression to the meeting.”
- Explanation: The adjective “tired” applies differently to “smile” and “expression,” playing on the dual meanings.
- Grammatical:
- Conversation: “She sang a song and her baby to sleep.”
- Explanation: The word “sang” applies to both “song” and “baby,” functioning in both a literal and metaphorical sense.
- Semantic:
- Conversation: “He threw a fit and a ball during the game.”
- Explanation: The word “threw” takes on different meanings with “fit” (emotional outburst) and “ball” (physical action).
- Zeugma:
- Conversation: “He opened the door and his heart to forgiveness.”
- Explanation: The verb “opened” connects both to the literal action of opening a door and the metaphorical act of opening one’s heart.
- Pseudo-Syllepsis:
- Conversation: “She caught the bouquet and the attention of everyone.”
- Explanation: While “caught” seems to connect to both “bouquet” and “attention,” the connection with “attention” is more implied.
- Syllepsis with Adjectives:
- Conversation: “He left with a heavy heart and a light suitcase.”
- Explanation: The adjective “heavy” applies differently to “heart” and “suitcase,” creating a contrast in meanings.
Syllepsis in Literature: Suggested Readings
- Aristotle. Rhetoric. Translated by W. Rhys Roberts, Dover Publications, 2004.
- Corbett, Edward P. J., and Robert J. Connors. Classical Rhetoric for the Modern Student. Oxford University Press, 1998.
- Lanham, Richard A. A Handlist of Rhetorical Terms. University of California Press, 1991.
- Perelman, Chaim, and Lucie Olbrechts-Tyteca. The New Rhetoric: A Treatise on Argumentation. University of Notre Dame Press, 1969.
- Puttenham, George. The Arte of English Poesie. Edited by Gladys Doidge Willcock and Alice Walker, Cambridge University Press, 1936.
- Quintilian. Institutio Oratoria. Translated by H. E. Butler, Loeb Classical Library, Harvard University Press, 1920.
- Richards, I. A. The Philosophy of Rhetoric. Oxford University Press, 1965.
- Vickers, Brian. In Defence of Rhetoric. Oxford University Press, 1988.
- Weaver, Richard M. Language is Sermonic: Richard M. Weaver on the Nature of Rhetoric. Edited by Richard L. Johannesen, Louisiana State University Press, 1970.
- Ward Farnsworth. Farnsworth’s Classical English Rhetoric. David R. Godine Publisher, 2011.