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 soldiers
- 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)
Litotes
In Litotes 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.
