Can someone please explain in normal speak what a hyperbole is and give some examples.
Also, if possible what are some hyperbole's in portia's speech the quality of mercy in the merchant of venice.?
thanks a bunch.
x
2007-08-26 18:37:14 · 4 answers · asked by madzz 3 in Education & Reference ➔ Homework Help
It's a gross exaggeration. When you say "I'm so hungry I could eat a horse" or "I was stuck in traffic all day!" you are using hyperbole. You probably couldn't eat an entire horse, and nor were you stuck in traffic for 24 hours, but you express things in that way to emphasize your feelings of being very hungry and very frustrated with your time stuck in traffic. As to how Shakespeare applies it specifically in "The Merchant of Venice", I haven't read or seen it so I'm afraid I cannot help you. When it doubt though, you can always Wiki it.
2007-08-26 18:44:44 · answer #1 · answered by chappel90266 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can find a definition of hyperbole here:
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/hyperbole
Portia's famous speech is at
http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/297200.html
All you have to do now is to put the two together, which shouldn't be too difficult.
2007-08-27 01:44:37 · answer #2 · answered by Richard B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hyperbole is a great exageration of of something, examples were given by others so i won't bother, but for the hyperbole in the speech, that you have to do your self.
2007-08-27 03:57:45 · answer #3 · answered by Simple_plan_lover 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hyperbole (pronounced /haɪËpÉbÉli/ or "hy-PER-buh-lee"; "HY-per-bowl" is a mispronunciation) is a figure of speech in which statements are exaggerated. It may be used to evoke strong feelings or to create a strong impression, and is not meant to be taken literally.
It is like saying
"I'm so hungry I could eat a cow."
or
"He has a brain the size of a pea."
2007-08-27 01:46:12 · answer #4 · answered by J.R. 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋