Figure of Speech Part III

Metonymy

Metonymy literally means a change of name. In metonymy an object is denoted by the name of something which is generally associated with it.

For example

• The Bench, for the judges
• The laurel, for success
• Bluejackets, for sailors
• Red-coats, for British sailors
• The Crown, for the king

Since there are different kinds of association between objects, there are
several varieties of metonymy. For example, a metonymy may result from the use of the sign for the person or thing symbolized.

• From the cradle to the grave (= from infancy to death)

Lilotes
In Lilotes an affirmative is conveyed by negation of the opposite. It is the
opposite of hyperbole.

• I am a citizen of no mean city. (= I am a citizen of a very celebrated
• city.)
• He is no fool. (= He is very clever.)

Exclamation
In this figure of speech, the exclamatory form is used to draw greater
attention to a point.

• What a piece of work is man!
• How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank!

Climax
Climax is the arrangement of a series of events or ideas in the order of
increasing importance.

• What a piece of work is man! How noble in reason, how infinite in faculties! In action, how like an angel! In apprehension, how like a God.

Anticlimax
Anticlimax is the opposite of climax. It shows a sudden descent from the
higher to the lower. The anticlimax is employed for the purpose of satire or
ridicule.

• Here thou great Anna! whom three realms obey,
  Dost sometimes counsel take – and sometimes tea.

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