What is zeugma in literature and examples?
In grammatical terms, a zeugma is when a verb or adjective modifies two or more nouns to form one idea. Essentially, one word is applied to two or more other words in different ways. To get a better understanding of zeugmas, take a look at this famous zeugma example from Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Why do writers use zeugma?
A zeugma is an important device used in literature. By including these in writing, the author creates a stylistic effect that makes a piece of writing more interesting for the reader.
What is a zeugma word?
Definition of zeugma : the use of a word to modify or govern two or more words usually in such a manner that it applies to each in a different sense or makes sense with only one (as in “opened the door and her heart to the homeless boy”)
What is zeugma in a poem?
A figure of speech in which one verb or preposition joins two objects within the same phrase, often with different meanings.
Is zeugma a figurative language?
I. What is Zeugma? Zeugma is when you use a word in a sentence once, while conveying two different meanings at the same time. Sometimes, the word is literal in one part of the sentence, but figurative in another; other times, it’s just two completely separate meanings for the word.
What is the difference between Zeugma and Syllepsis?
Zeugma is any case where a single mention of a word is treated as a part of more than one clause of a sentence. Syllepsis is a type of zeugma where the word in question is used in contexts that require it to do different things.
How do you make a zeugma?
One exercise for writing an effective zeugma is to start with the linking word. The whole story orbits around the word “lost.” Maybe you can come up with a similar story – think of a verb that could be used in multiple senses and write a one-sentence story that uses that verb in several ways.
What figure of speech is zeugma?
A zeugma is a figure of speech in which one “governing” word or phrase modifies two distinct parts of a sentence.
What is example of litotes?
In truth, a litotes will use irony to emphasize an idea without minimizing its importance. For example, a friend might expect her roommate to talk about someone who’s obviously wealthy by saying, “He’s filthy rich.” However, when she comes out and says, “Well, he’s not exactly a pauper,” it’s a little unexpected.
What is the effect of zeugma in poetry?
Zeugma is a figure of speech in which a single word joins two (or more) parts of a sentence. Sometimes, zeugma creates a mistake, and sometimes it doesn’t. Zeugma is often used to create a literary effect.
Is zeugma a figure of speech?
What is zeugma? Zeugma (from the Greek, “a yoking, a bond”) is a figure of speech in which a word, usually a verb or an adjective, joins different parts of a sentence. It is sometimes differentiated from syllepsis.
What is the zeugma test?
Abstract: In arguing against a supposed ambiguity, philosophers often rely on the zeugma test. In an application of the zeugma test, a supposedly ambiguous ex- pression is placed in a sentence in which several of its supposed meanings are forced together.
Is man’s best friend an epithet?
This phrase is immediately understood as meaning “dog.” Dogs have been such important and constant companions to human beings that they have earned the epithet “man’s best friend.”
What are examples of litotes?
Litotes is a figure of speech and a form of understatement in which a sentiment is expressed ironically by negating its contrary. For example, saying “It’s not the best weather today” during a hurricane would be an example of litotes, implying through ironic understatement that the weather is, in fact, horrible.
What is a Zeugma in literature?
The zeugma is an interesting literary device that uses one word to refer to two or more different things in more than one way. Zeugmas will either confuse the reader or inspire them to think more deeply. Learn more about zeugmas through several examples. A zeugma can get confusing quickly.
What is an example of Zeugma in the things they carried?
In Tim O’Brien’s short story “The Things They Carried”, he utilizes zeugma. He writers, “he carried a strobe light and the responsibility for the lives of his men”. In this example, the word “carried” refers to both the light and responsibility.
How does Zeugma add flavor to literary texts?
The above examples of Zeugma show that this literary device may create confusing or dangling sentences. However, if used correctly, it adds flavor to literary texts as it helps produce a dramatic effect, which could possibly be shocking in its result.
What is an example of syllepsis and Zeugma?
Zeugma and Syllepsis. Similarly, Tennyson’s line from Ulysses, “He works his work, I mine” is an example of syllepsis, as the verb “works” is grammatically correct with the first person pronoun “he,” but it is incorrect grammar to say “I works mine.” Despite this distinction, syllepsis is often considered a kind of zeugma. Bryan A.