Rhetorical Devices Flashcards
Irony
Concealed sarcasm, the opposite of what is meant is said
Ex: nos autem, fortissimi viri = we, however, very brave men
Hysteron Proteron
A reverse of the logical order of events
Ex: moriamur et in media arma ruamus = let us die and rush into battle
Iitotes
A double negative, affirming by a denial of the opposite
Ex: non paucis dicam = I shall say in not a few words; that is not unheard of
Metaphor
Implied simile or comparison, without saying “like” or “as”.
Ex: cum duodecim secures (= praetores); you are the sunshine of my life
Metonymy
Substitution of one word for another it suggests
Ex: duodecim secures (“12 axes” meaning judges)
Synechdoche
A form of metonymy, a part used to represent the whole.
Ex: “all hands on deck”; “there are 20 head of cattle in the field”
Onomatopoeia
The use of words whose sound suggests the meaning
Ex: clamorque cirum clangorque tubarum; istius (= that low, no good, dirty rotten)
Oxymoron
Use of words apparently contradictory in meaning
Ex: hi taciti clamant = they, silent, are shouting
Paronomasia
A pun, or play on twosound-alike, though different, words
Ex: ut exul potius temptare quam consul vexare potes
Personification
Attributing human qualities to inanimate things.
Ex: si patria loquatur = if your country should speak
Pleonasm (or tautology)
Use of unnecessary, or redundant, words
Ex: sic ora locuta est = thus she spoke with her mouth
Praeteritio
The pretense of passing over unprovable or false statements while in fact stating them.
Ex: non dicam duo bella maxima esse confecta = I’m not going to mention the 2 very big wars
Rhetorical question
A direct question, to which an answer is not expected.
Ex: quo usque tandem abuterr patientia nostra? = to what end will you abuse our patience?
Simile
A comparison with “like” or “as” expressed (with sumilis, velit, quasi, etc.)
Ex: veluti agmine facto = like a marching column which was made; he looked like a lion; they were busy as bees
Syncope
Contracted form of word
