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What is the purpose of antanaclasis?

seo-qna
Last updated date: 18th Sep 2024
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Hint: Antanaclasis is a rhetorical tactic in which the same phrase or word is used over and over again, but the meaning of the term changes each time. It occurs when a similar term is repeated in a phrase with various meanings, or when a word is repeated in two or more senses.

Complete answer:
Antanaclasis aids in the creation of an intriguing contrast between two meanings of the same term. It heightens a piece of literature or a speech's dramatic and persuasive impact. When employed in the form of sarcasm and pun, antanaclasis has a humorous impact. Aside from that, the recurrence makes the literary content memorable. It's a rhetorical tactic that may be found in poetry, writing, and political speeches. This is a strategy used by politicians to convince and attract the attention of their audiences.

In Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing," Beatrice states of the count
"The count is neither sad, nor sick, nor merry, nor
well; but civil count, civil as an orange, and
something of that jealous complexion."

The term civil appears twice in this passage: the first time in its regular context, and the second time as a pun. Because bitter oranges were grown in Seville during Shakespeare's time, the phrase "civil as an orange" is a play on words that implies Claudio is bitter. Furthermore, in Shakespeare's day, orange was associated with jealousy rather than green, thus the term "civil" had two connotations.
This is an Antanaclasis, a phrase that sounds similar but has a different meaning. As a result, civil denotes politeness and civil denotes bitterness.

Note: Though both epizeuxis and antanaclasis refer to the repeating of words, there is a subtle distinction between the two. Words or phrases are repeated in a sequence in the same sentence or line in epizeuxis.