Definition:
Hyperbaton is a figure in which there is an inversion of the regular grammatical order of words in a sentence for the purpose of emphasizing an idea or fact. Hyperbaton is also called Inversion.
Thus, the sentence, ‘I have seen much’, may be inverted in this way, ‘Much have I seen’ to make this more emphatic. The usual order is inverted here for the sake of emphasis.
Features:
The essential features of this figure are :
(i) There is an inversion of the regular grammatical order of words.
(ii) The purpose is to emphasize.
Examples:
1. Out of suffering comes success.
This is an example of Hyperbaton. Here, the usual order of words, ‘Success comes out of suffering,’ is inverted for the purpose of emphasis.
2. Much have I travell’d in the realms of gold. -Keats
This is a hyperbaton. In this case, the regular grammatical order of words I have travelled much in the realms of gold, is inverted, and the purpose is to secure emphasis.
3. Most blameless is he.
Here, ‘He is most blameless’, is inverted for the purpose of emphasising this idea.
Also read: Alliteration: Definition, Key aspects and Examples
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