Probably every modern man is not often heard, and even use a term such as hyperbole.
Hyperbole is used in the literature, as a rule, to designate special stylistic device of exaggeration of the properties of an object or phenomenon, thus reinforce the impression produced.
In this article, I invite your readers to go to the fascinating world of the native language.After reviewing the information submitted here, you can get answers to the following questions:
- That includes the notion of hyperbole in the literature?
- For what purpose is it used?
- often do we, without even noticing, apply in this stylistic figure of speech?
article, I decided to break into three parts: first, tell us more about the etymology of the word, then we'll discuss the history and causes of the very concept, and finally, you will learn about the role of hyperbole in modern style.
Part 1. Etymology and modern definition of the word
So, first of all, dig into history.In terms of etymology of the word of Greek origin "hyperbole" consists of two parts "hyper" and "bole".The first translated into Russian as "super", "through" or "too much", while the latter can be interpreted as the "throw", "throwing", "throwing".Around the 18th century in the Latin appears and begins to be widely used to mean "an exaggeration", the word "hyperbole".
there is an opposite term - litotes.And if the hyperbole in the literature implies "an exaggeration", the litotes, on the contrary, it is used for deliberate understatement.
example, hyperbole can serve idioms "sea of smells," "Ocean of Love", "one hundred years have not seen," litotes same - "thimble", "at hand."
Part 2. Causes term
probably difficult to imagine that the desire to over-exaggerate the value and the physical characteristics of the object originated in the thinking of a man in the days of the primitive communal system.Of course, the judgment of the first people on the planet were significantly different from the course of people's minds today.In those days did not exist a clear line between fiction and real-life concepts.As you know, many centuries ago, hunters inspired the world around them, leaders, animals, natural phenomena.They give them supernatural powers, for example, the incredible size, magic power, excessive agility and quirky mind.Why is that?This process was simply unavoidable sinceis a consequence of the huge dependence of primitive people from the forces of nature, the lack of understanding of its laws, the inability to master all occurring or inability to explain to himself the cause of an event.The result is a fear, a feeling of helplessness, dependence, and as a result - the imaginary gratitude, admiration, surprise and exaggeration.
Part 3. Hyperbole.Literature classic and contemporary
In order to give the product of artistic expression, the authors are trying to use a variety of language tools, the most common of which are considered to be metaphors, similes, adjectives and hyperbole.Currently, this stylistic device as hyperbole used, based on the interaction between the emotional and the logical values of the same word.
Here are some examples of hyperbole in the literature: "This has already been said a thousand times" (exaggerated number), "The enemies are broken to pieces" (quality), "He's gone, and the world ceased to exist for her" (emotions).
Sometimes it is very difficult not to be confused with the comparison hyperbole or metaphor, as they too often compare two objects.Remember that the hyperbole in the literature always means an exaggeration.Say, "The feet of his legs were huge, like skiing."At first glance, this example reminds comparison, but, remembering what is actually the length of the ski, you can understand that this is an exaggeration, and therefore hyperbole.
author usually resorts to the stylistic reception to reinforce the impression, or sharpen the image.Modern realities also require the use of hyperbole in order to enhance the effect of expression of speech, affect the imagination, or attract attention.
