Hyperbole
Hyperbole, derived from a Greek word meaning
“over-casting” is a figure of speech, which involves anexaggeration of ideas for the sake of emphasis.
It is a device that we employ in our day-to-day speech. For instance, when you meet a friend after a long time, you say, “Ages have passed since I last saw you”. You may not have met him for three or four hours or a day, but the use of the word “ages” exaggerates this statement to add emphasis to your wait. Therefore, a hyperbole is an unreal exaggeration to emphasize the real situation. Some other common Hyperbole examples are given below.
Common Examples of
Hyperbole:
- My
grandmother is as old as the hills.
- Your
suitcase weighs a ton!
- She
is as heavy as an elephant!
- I
am dying of shame.
- I am trying to solve a million issues these days.
It is important not to confuse hyperbole with simile and metaphor. It does make a comparison but unlikesimile and metaphor, hyperbole has a humorous effect created by an overstatement.
Let us see some examples from Classical English
literature in which hyperbole was used successfully.
Hyperbole
may also be used for instances of such exaggerations for emphasis or effect.
Hyperboles are often used in casual speech as intensifiers, such as saying "the bag weighed a ton". Hyperbole
makes the point that the speaker found the bag to be extremely heavy, although
it was nothing like a literal ton., Understanding hyperboles and their use
in context can further one's ability to understand the messages being sent from
the speaker. It has been established that use of hyperboles relays emotions.
Hyperbole can be used in a form of humour, excitement, distress, and many
other emotions, all depending on the context in which the speaker uses it.
REFERENCES
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