What is Periphrasis? 🌀
Pronunciation: /pəˈrɪfrəsɪs/
Periphrasis is a literary device that involves the use of indirect and circumlocutory speech or writing. Instead of being direct and concise, periphrasis utilizes more elaborate and verbose language to describe something simple. This device can add elegance, humor, or emphasis to the writing, making it a valuable tool for writers.
How Writers Use Periphrasis ✍️
Writers use periphrasis to:
- Add stylistic flair and sophistication to their writing.
- Create humor through overly elaborate descriptions.
- Emphasize particular aspects of a subject.
- Avoid repetition by varying the description of a concept.
- Obfuscate or soften the impact of a statement.
Types of Periphrasis 📚
Type | Description | Example |
---|---|---|
Euphemistic Periphrasis | Uses mild or indirect language to describe something harsh or unpleasant. | “Passed away” instead of “died” |
Descriptive Periphrasis | Provides detailed descriptions instead of a single word. | “The elongated yellow fruit” instead of “banana” |
Amplifying Periphrasis | Elaborates on a subject to add emphasis or detail. | “The ruler of the seven seas” instead of “Poseidon” |
Periphrasis Rules 📜
Rule | Explanation |
---|---|
Maintain Clarity | Ensure that the use of periphrasis does not obscure the meaning. |
Suit the Context | Use periphrasis appropriately based on the context and tone of the writing. |
Balance Detail and Brevity | Avoid excessive verbosity that could confuse or bore the reader. |
Enhance Style | Use periphrasis to enhance the stylistic quality of the text. |
Vary Descriptions | Employ periphrasis to provide varied descriptions and avoid repetition. |
Examples in Literature, Poetry, Songs, Movies, and Advertising
Periphrasis in Literature 📖
Work | Author | Example |
---|---|---|
“Hamlet” | William Shakespeare | “To die, to sleep—To sleep, perchance to dream.” |
“Moby Dick” | Herman Melville | “The great leviathan that had been swimming in the seas.” |
“Pride and Prejudice” | Jane Austen | “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.” |
Watch Hamlet – To Be or Not to Be on YouTube.
Periphrasis Odes in Children’s Books 📚
Book | Author | Example |
---|---|---|
“Winnie-the-Pooh” | A.A. Milne | “A bear of very little brain.” |
“Charlotte’s Web” | E.B. White | “Some pig” – a simple way of saying that Wilbur is special. |
“Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” | Lewis Carroll | “The time has come,” the Walrus said, “To talk of many things: Of shoes—and ships—and sealing-wax—Of cabbages—and kings—” |
Watch Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland – The Walrus and the Carpenter on YouTube.
Periphrasis in Poetry 🎨
Poem | Poet | Example |
---|---|---|
“The Waste Land” | T.S. Eliot | “April is the cruellest month, breeding Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing Memory and desire.” |
“Ode on a Grecian Urn” | John Keats | “Thou still unravish’d bride of quietness.” |
“Kubla Khan” | Samuel Taylor Coleridge | “In Xanadu did Kubla Khan a stately pleasure-dome decree.” |
Watch The Waste Land – T.S. Eliot Reading on YouTube.
Periphrasis in Songs 🎶
Song | Artist | Example |
---|---|---|
“Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” | The Beatles | “Picture yourself in a boat on a river, with tangerine trees and marmalade skies.” |
“Bohemian Rhapsody” | Queen | “Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?” |
“American Pie” | Don McLean | “A long, long time ago, I can still remember how that music used to make me smile.” |
Watch The Beatles – Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds on YouTube.
Periphrasis Odes in Movies 🎬
Movie | Character | Example |
---|---|---|
“The Lord of the Rings” | Gandalf | “A wizard is never late, nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to.” |
“Forrest Gump” | Forrest Gump | “Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re gonna get.” |
“Pulp Fiction” | Jules Winnfield | “The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men.” |
Watch The Lord of the Rings – Gandalf’s Arrival on YouTube.
Periphrasis in Advertising 📺
Ad | Brand | Example |
---|---|---|
“The Man Your Man Could Smell Like” | Old Spice | “Look at your man, now back to me, now back at your man, now back to me. Sadly, he isn’t me, but if he stopped using ladies’ scented body wash and switched to Old Spice, he could smell like he’s me.” |
“Think Different” | Apple | “Here’s to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers.” |
“Got Milk?” | California Milk Processor Board | “Milk: it does a body good.” |
Watch Old Spice – The Man Your Man Could Smell Like on YouTube.
FAQs about Periphrasis
What is Periphrasis?
Periphrasis is a literary device involving the use of indirect and circumlocutory speech or writing, often employing elaborate and verbose language.
Why do writers use Periphrasis?
Writers use periphrasis to add stylistic flair, create humor, emphasize aspects of a subject, avoid repetition, and soften the impact of statements.
What are some famous examples of Periphrasis?
Famous examples include Shakespeare’s “Hamlet,” Melville’s “Moby Dick,” and Keats’ “Ode on a Grecian Urn.”
Can Periphrasis be used in different types of media?
Yes, periphrasis can be found in literature, poetry, songs, movies, and advertising, enhancing the narrative with creativity and depth.
Related Devices
- Euphemism: A mild or indirect word or expression used in place of one considered too harsh or blunt.
- Circumlocution: The use of many words where fewer would do, especially in a deliberate attempt to be vague or evasive.
- Metaphor: A figure of speech that makes a comparison between two unlike things without using “like” or “as.”
- Hyperbole: Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.
- Irony: The expression of meaning through language that signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect.