Hypocatastasis
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| - | A '''simile''' is a technique that uses words such as "like" or "as" to compare two ideas. Even though similes and [[metaphors]] are both forms of comparison, similes allow the two ideas to remain distinct in spite of their similarities, whereas metaphors seek to equate two ideas despite their differences. For instance, a simile that compares a person with a bullet would go as follows: "John was a record-setting runner and as fast as a speeding bullet." A metaphor might read something like, "John was a record-setting runner. That speeding bullet could zip past you without you even knowing he was there." | + | '''Hypocatastasis''' is a [[figure of speech]] that declares or implies a [[resemblance]], representation or comparison. It differs from a [[metaphor]], because in a metaphor the two nouns are both named and given; while, in hypocatastasis, only one is named and the other is implied, or as it were, is put down underneath out of sight. Hence hypocatastasis is an implied resemblance or representation: that is an implied simile or metaphor. A hypocatastasis has more force than a metaphor or simile, and expresses as it were a superlative degree of resemblance. |
| - | A [[mnemonic]] for a simile is that "a simile is similar or alike." | + | Bullinger gives the following example: one may say to another, “You are '''like''' a beast.” This would be simile, tamely stating a fact. If, however, he said, “You '''are''' a beast” that would be metaphor. But, if he said simply, “Beast!” that would be hypocatastasis, for the other part of the simile or metaphor (“you”), would be implied and not stated. This figure, therefore, is calculated to arouse the mind and attract and excite the attention to the greatest extent. |
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| + | For more information see Ethelbert William Bullinger, Figures of Speech Used in the Bible (London; New York: Eyre & Spottiswoode; E. & J. B. Young & Co., 1898), 744. | ||
| - | Similes have been widely used in literature for their expressiveness as a figure of speech: | ||
| - | * Curley was flopping like a fish on a line. | ||
| - | * The very mist on the Essex marshes was like a gauzy and radiant fabric. | ||
| - | * Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world like a [[Colossus]]. | ||
| ==See also== | ==See also== | ||
| * [[Analogy]] | * [[Analogy]] | ||
| * [[Description]] | * [[Description]] | ||
| * [[Metaphor]] | * [[Metaphor]] | ||
| - | * [[Hypocatastasis]] | + | * [[Poetry]] |
| - | * [[Figure of speech]] | + | |
| {{GFDL}} | {{GFDL}} | ||
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Hypocatastasis is a figure of speech that declares or implies a resemblance, representation or comparison. It differs from a metaphor, because in a metaphor the two nouns are both named and given; while, in hypocatastasis, only one is named and the other is implied, or as it were, is put down underneath out of sight. Hence hypocatastasis is an implied resemblance or representation: that is an implied simile or metaphor. A hypocatastasis has more force than a metaphor or simile, and expresses as it were a superlative degree of resemblance.
Bullinger gives the following example: one may say to another, “You are like a beast.” This would be simile, tamely stating a fact. If, however, he said, “You are a beast” that would be metaphor. But, if he said simply, “Beast!” that would be hypocatastasis, for the other part of the simile or metaphor (“you”), would be implied and not stated. This figure, therefore, is calculated to arouse the mind and attract and excite the attention to the greatest extent.
For more information see Ethelbert William Bullinger, Figures of Speech Used in the Bible (London; New York: Eyre & Spottiswoode; E. & J. B. Young & Co., 1898), 744.
See also
