A line that consists of ten syllables, where the first syllable is unstressed, the second is stressed, the third is unstressed and so on until it reaches the 10th line syllable.
For instance, “Shall I com PARE thee TO a SUM mer’s DAY?”(Sonnet 18 by Shakespeare)
An iamb is a literary device that can be defined as a foot (meter) containing unaccented and short syllables followed by a long and accented syllable in a single line of a poem (unstressed/stressed syllables).
Pentameter is a literary device that can be defined as a line in verse or poetry that has FIVE strong metrical feet or beats. There are different forms of pentameter: iamb, trochaic, dactylic and anapestic.
a meaning that is implied by a word apart from the thing which it describes. Words carry cultural and emotional associations or meanings in addition to their literal meanings or denotations.
In literature, it is a common practice among writers to deviate from the literal meanings of words in order to create novel ideas. Figures of speech frequently employed by writers are examples of such deviations.
Example Metaphors are words that connote meanings that go beyond their literal meanings. Shakespeare in his Sonnet 18 says: “Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer’s Day”
In literature, writers deviate from the denotative meanings of words to create fresh ideas and images that add deeper levels of meanings to common and ordinary words.
“All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts,” Shakespeare moves away from the denotative meanings of words in the above lines in order to give a symbolic sense to a few words. “a stage” symbolizes the world, “players” suggests human beings and “parts” implies different stages of their lives.
A Kenning is derived from Norse and Anglo-Saxon poetry. It is a stylistic device and can be defined as a two-word phrase that describes an object through metaphors.
The kenning is used as a poetic device and its function in poetry is to describe something in alternative ways to provide a richer and different meaning. Kenning is related to dialects as well, wherein it works as a showcase example of regional or local dialect.
Function of an understatement is a tool that helps to develop other figures of speech such as irony and sarcasm by deliberately decreasing the severity of a situation when an intense response is expected by the listeners or the readers.
Tone, in written composition, is an attitude of a writer toward a subject or an audience. Tone is generally conveyed through the choice of words or the viewpoint of a writer on a particular subject.
Ironic Tone in AMP "I can think of no one objection that will possibly be raised against this proposal, unless it be urged that the number of people will be thereby much lessened in the kingdom." (198-200)
Satire is a technique employed by writers to expose and criticize foolishness and corruption of an individual or a society by using humor, irony, exaggeration or ridicule.