Apostrophe (figure of Speech)

Apostrophe (figure Of Speech)

Apostrophe (Greek ἀποστροφή, apostrophé, "turning away"; the final e being sounded) is an exclamatory rhetorical figure of speech, when a speaker or writer breaks off and directs speech to an imaginary person or abstract quality or idea. In dramatic works and poetry written in or translated into English, such a figure of speech is often introduced by the exclamation "O".

It is related to personification, although in apostrophe, objects or abstractions are implied to have certain human qualities (such as understanding) by the very fact that the speaker is addressing them as he would a person in his presence.

This rhetorical device addresses things which are personified; absent people or gods.

Apostrophe is often used to convey extreme emotion, as in Claudius's impassioned speech in Hamlet.