key term - Repetition

Definition

Repetition is a literary device that involves the repeated use of words, phrases, or structures to emphasize a particular idea or theme. In poetry and prose, it serves to create rhythm, enhance memorability, and draw attention to key concepts or emotions within the text.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In lines 418-440 of the Aeneid, Vergil uses repetition to emphasize the struggles and determination of Aeneas and his followers as they confront adversity.
2. The repeated phrases help to create a sense of urgency and emotional resonance within the narrative, allowing readers to connect more deeply with the characters' experiences.
3. Repetition in this passage serves to highlight key themes such as fate, duty, and the longing for home, reinforcing Aeneas's commitment to his mission.
4. The rhythmic quality created by repetition contributes to the overall aesthetic of the poem, enhancing its poetic structure and appeal.
5. Vergil’s use of repetition can also serve to foreshadow future events in the epic, creating a link between past experiences and future challenges for Aeneas.

Review Questions

• How does Vergil's use of repetition in lines 418-440 enhance the emotional impact of Aeneas's journey?
  • Vergil's use of repetition in these lines amplifies the emotional intensity of Aeneas's struggles by reinforcing his determination and the weight of his responsibilities. As phrases echo throughout the passage, they underscore his resolve and the hardships faced by him and his crew. This technique not only heightens reader engagement but also evokes sympathy for their plight as they navigate their challenges.
• Discuss how Vergil employs different forms of repetition in these lines to convey themes central to the Aeneid.
  • In lines 418-440, Vergil skillfully combines anaphora and epiphora to enhance key themes like duty and destiny. The deliberate repetition at both the beginning and end of lines serves to emphasize Aeneas's unwavering commitment to fulfilling his fate. By strategically placing repeated phrases throughout these lines, Vergil ensures that themes resonate with readers, illustrating Aeneas's internal conflict and fortitude.
• Evaluate how the technique of repetition used by Vergil in this section reflects larger motifs within the Aeneid and contributes to its overall narrative structure.
  • The technique of repetition utilized by Vergil in this segment reflects larger motifs such as struggle, resilience, and fate that permeate the entire Aeneid. By establishing a rhythm through repeated phrases, he creates an interconnected narrative that links individual moments of hardship with broader themes of destiny. This not only reinforces Aeneas's character development but also allows readers to perceive a cohesive journey marked by perseverance, thereby enhancing the epic's dramatic tension and thematic depth.

Related terms

Anaphora:

A specific type of repetition where the same word or phrase is repeated at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences.

Epiphora: The repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive clauses or sentences, creating a strong emotional effect.

Alliteration:

The occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of closely connected words, often used in conjunction with repetition to enhance musicality.