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Anaphora
Phonetics:
əˈnæfərə
Pronunciation:
Mastering Anaphora in English Grammar
Comprehensive Definition, Description, Examples & Rules
What is anaphora
Anaphora are words regularly used as repetition instead of original words, such as the pronouns We, They, etc. According to the Collins dictionary, Anaphora means “repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses, lines of verse, etc.”
What is Anaphora can be explained in simple words as a repetition in a monotonous tone with the same words at the beginning of the clause. These are specifically used in poems and verses by poets to put a dramatic effect on the poetry. What is Anaphora in the grammatical sense? Anaphora Is closely related to epistrophe, which is also known as the repetitive words at the end of the sentence or clause.
Anaphora dates back to when the Bible was written and when epic poems and stories were published. We still find its traces in the palms of the Bible, which contains phrases and poems that include repetition. As it is very dramatic and continuously glorified by repetitive sounds, it makes the context easy to remember by putting an effect. The English writers later evolved Anaphora to form a particular structure and rhythm in poetries and verses.
A simple example of Anaphora is William Blake’s poem “London.”
- In every cry of every Man,
- In every infant’s cry of fear,
- In every voice, in every ban,
In this Anaphora example, “In every” at the beginning of each clause indicates something similar to the city that the poet has encountered, putting it beautifully as the word “in every” is repeated each time, building an effect into the poem.
Understanding Anaphora
Anaphora is one of those literary devices that are now commonly used to produce effects in the poem, verses, stories, and prose, engraving the significance of the common topic one is constantly putting force upon. Repetition of words has been a common tool to memorize and remember lullabies, fairy tales, folklore and epics in earlier days. As earlier, there was no access to paper; people used to write repetitive words to memorize and carry forward the literature easily. The necessity to remember the literature and to continue forward invented the use of Anaphora.
Now as everything can be published and carried out forward, the purpose of Anaphora remains to put significance and create rhythms in the poem or other literary context, making it more engaging and interesting. Anaphora is also common in scripts where the actors speak in a tone. Most of the time, they repeat their lines to make the crowd focus. Many halls in London performed this way without mics speaking out in repetition as art so everyone could focus. Anaphora has existed ever since Greek Times. In Greek, it means to carry up or back.
Examples of Anaphora
Let us, for further reference, take the same examples of Anaphora as mentioned above, understanding the context and effect Anaphora puts.
- In a quote,
“Indifference elicits no response. Indifference is not a response. Indifference is not a beginning; it is an end. And, therefore, indifference is always the friend of the enemy, for it benefits the aggressor–never his victim, whose pain is magnified when he or she feels forgotten.” Elie Weisel
Explanation: This quote by Elie Weisel impacts people on the term “indifference” happening around politics and the class system. By constantly taking the term in each sentence, the writer emphasises the importance of understanding the concept to make people aware. Anaphora is used here to provoke and inspire people against indifference.
- In a text,
- “So many places, so little time.”
- “I wish I may; I wish I might.”
- “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.”
- “Give much, give often, give freely.”
- “Fool me once; shame on you. Fool me twice; shame on me.”
Explanation: There can be many sentences and words which use Anaphora. Anaphora is used to communicate something urgently while putting emotions into the sentence. In these sentences, “so” expresses the longest time to travel to each place, but the speaker has so little time. “I wish” expresses a strong desire to do things. “Ask what” in the sentence puts the effect of patriotism. “Give” here puts emphasis on the way of and how one wants to live. “Fool me” the first time indicates another meaning, while it indicates another in the second line.
- In a Poem,
Sonnet 66 William Shakespeare
- “Tired with all these, for restful death, I cry,
- As to behold desert a beggar born,
- And needy nothing trimm’d in jollity,
- And purest faith unhappily forsworn,
- And gilded honour shamefully misplac’d,
- And maiden virtue rudely strumpeted,
- And right perfection wrongfully disgrac’d,
- And strength by limping sway disabled
- And art made tongue-tied by authority,
- And folly – doctor-like – controlling skill,
- And simple truth miscall’d simplicity,
- And captive good attending captain ill.”
Explanation: In this famous poetry by William Shakespeare expresses frustration with the world and constantly nags about it. Every time using “and” indicates increasing frustration.
Antecedent and Anaphor Agreement
Antecedent and Anaphor Agreement conditions as before repetition, there should be a particular context indicating the repetition of a pronoun or any other word.
For example, Alice in Wonderland, she was having plenty of fun. She was exploring, and she was wondering.
In this example, Alice is the antecedent, and she is the anaphor. “She” as Anaphora is “Alice” is explained by the Antecedent and Anaphor Agreement.
A specific rule in this condition is that one should specify the indication as antecedent only once.
Repetition and Placement
Anaphora is based on regularly repeating pronouns or a group of words. Every sentence starting and every clause beginning should have the repetition of Anaphora. The only placement rule one has to follow is that it should be placed in front of the sentences or in front of the clause.
For example:
- Sonnet 66 by William Shakespeare
- “Tired with all these, for restful death, I cry,
- As to behold desert a beggar born,
- And needy nothing trimm’d in jollity,
- And purest faith unhappily forsworn,
- And gilded honour shamefully misplac’d,
- And maiden virtue rudely strumpeted,
- And right perfection wrongfully disgrac’d,
- And strength by limping sway disabled
- And art made tongue-tied by authority,
- And folly – doctor-like – controlling skill,
- And simple truth miscall’d simplicity,
We can easily notice how repetition is constant and is at the beginning of every clause.
Types of Anaphora
There are different types of Anaphora which we can use as repetition in the context of different types. Follow to know more!
Simple Anaphora
A simple Anaphora uses straightforward pronouns and subordinate conjunctions at the starting of the clause in the context. These words are genuinely at the front of the clause and are usually one-worded.
For example, Sonnet 66 by William Shakespeare
- “Tired with all these, for restful death, I cry,
- As to behold desert a beggar born,
- And needy nothing trimm’d in jollity,
- And purest faith unhappily forsworn,
- And gilded honour shamefully misplac’d,
- And maiden virtue rudely strumpeted,
- And right perfection wrongfully disgrac’d,
- And strength by limping sway disabled
- And art made tongue-tied by authority,
- And folly – doctor-like – controlling skill,
- And simple truth miscall’d simplicity,
- Complex Anaphora
Complex Anaphora is difficult to recognise and are usually a group of words together. It is also always at the start of the clause.
For example, “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.”
In this example, we can see that “ask not what” and “ask what” sound similar in repetition but is not.
Zero Anaphora
Zero anaphora deals with the gap in the sentence or clause. It does not specify but refers back.
For example, John wants to sell his house. Sue has offered one million, but he isn’t satisfied.
The gap where Sue is mentioned is known as zero anaphora.
Cataphora
Cataphora, unlike Anaphora, refers to forward. The expression which is indicated in the first clause is referred to in the preceding clause, which is an antonym to Anaphora.
For example, “If you want some, there’s coffee in the pot.”
Epiphora
Epiphora is the repetition of words at the end of the clause that refers backwards, the same as antecedent agreement.
For example, “If you did know to whom I gave the ring, If you did know for whom I gave the ring, And would conceive for what I gave the ring…”
In this sentence, the ring is constantly repeating known as epiphora.
Anadiplosis
This type of Anaphora ends in the first sentence and begins in the other.
For example, It is the East, and Juliet is the sun. Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon.
The word “sun” is repeated in the last of the first sentence and is beginning from the second sentence. This is known as Anadiplosis.
Comparison of Anaphora Types
Anaphora is like ornaments of literature, making the context worth reading. Every Anaphora has some uniqueness and drawbacks. Here are some perks that make each Anaphora different and their drawbacks.
Simple Anaphora
Simple Anaphora makes the sentence more focused and affirmative. The only drawback it holds is that it makes the context monotonous.
Complex Anaphora
The sentence is never monotonous with Complex Anaphora, but it is difficult to recognise it in sentences or clauses.
Zero Anaphora
It can be good for subtle hints and emotions. It can be difficult to interpret in the grammatical sense.
Cataphora
Cataphora connects the two lines, and yet it differentiates the emotions connected to it. It is difficult to interpret.
Epiphora
Epiphora is the repetition of words at the end of the clause that refers backwards, the same as antecedent agreement. One must look out for the end of the clause or the sentence.
Anadiplosis
It is an interesting way to mix literary devices into literature. It can be confusing to form.
Exceptions to Anaphora Rules
Any hindrance in using Anaphora calls for exceptions that can break the Anaphoric pattern. Anaphoric ambiguity is a term used in English grammar where a pronoun refers to different things as different readers interpret it.
In any case of anaphoric ambiguity, exceptions can be made to break the rules.
For example, She is her, She is Stella, and Her elegance is something else. She is pretty.
In this example, if you don’t include “Stella,”, the readers will be confused about “she” and who she is. Hence, breaking the Anaphora was necessary for clarity.
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Key Takeaways
- Anaphora is repeated words, mostly pronouns and adjectives, at the start of the clause or sentence.
- There are five types of Anaphoric clauses, each holding unique qualities to fit the context.
- It is a literary device to inspire, Express, and spread awareness.
Quiz
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Frequently Asked Questions
Anaphora reflects emotions and points of focus to provoke, inspire and spread awareness.
Each repetition in Anaphora is not mere repetition in tone, but it holds a reference.
One of the most famous speeches in Anaphora is Dr Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech.
The repetition in the clause at the start of it with pronouns can be seen as Anaphora.
Anaphora can be included in any clause at the start by using pronouns or adjunctions.
Some famous speeches in Anaphora are I Have a Dream, We Choose to Go to the Moon, Gettysburg Address, Day of Infamy speech.
One can go through Edulyte’s worksheet given below to help yourself with exercises or activities.
