Climax. Rhetorical questions and other devices based on transposition
Definition of Climax
Climax, a Greek term meaning “ladder”, is that particular point in a narrative at which the conflict or tension hits the highest point.
Climax is a structural part of a plot and is at times referred to as a crisis. It is a decisive moment or a turning point in a storyline at which the rising action turns around into a falling action. Thus, a climax is the point at which a conflict or crisis reaches its peak that calls for a resolution or denouement (conclusion). In a five-act play, the climax is close to the conclusion of act 3. Later in the 19th century, the five-act plays were replaced by three-act plays and the climax was placed close to the conclusion or at the end of the play.
Examples of Climax in Literature
Let us analyze a few climax examples in literature:
Example #1
In William Shakespeare’s play “Romeo and Juliet”, the story reaches its climax in Act 3. In the first scene of the act, Romeo challenges Tybalt to a duel after he (Tybalt) killed Mercutio:
“And fire-eyed fury be my conduct now!
Now, Tybalt, take the ‘villain’ back again
That late thou gavest me; for Mercutio’s soul
Is but a little way above our heads,”
As soon as he killed Tybalt, Romeo says:
“O! I am Fortune’s Fool!”
He realizes that he has killed his wife’s cousin. This juncture in the play is a climax as the audience wonders how Romeo would get out of this terrible situation. Similarly, it qualifies as a climax because after this act all the prior conflicts start to be resolved and mysteries unfold themselves and thus the story moves toward its logical conclusion during the coming scenes.
Example #2
In Joseph Conrad’s novel “The Heart of Darkness”, the narrative reaches its climax when Marlowe starts his journey in his steam boat, in the direction of the inner station and his final discovery upon reaching the station and meeting “Kurtz”. He was shocked to discover that Kurtz had abandoned all norms and morals of his civilization after giving in to the savage customs of the wild Congo. Following this point in the novel, the mystery surrounding Kurtz is unfolded and the questions in the mind of Marlow find their answers automatically when he sees the real situation.
Climax as a Stylistic Device
As a stylistic device, the term climax refers to a literary device in which words, phrases and clauses are arranged in an order to increase their importance within the sentence. The following are examples of climax as a stylistic device.
|
|
|
Function of Climax
A climax, when used as a plot device, helps readers understand the significance of the rising action earlier to the point in the plot where the conflict reaches its peak. The Climax of the story makes readers mentally prepared for the resolution of the conflict. Hence, climax is important to the plot structure of a story. Moreover, climax is used as a stylistic device or a figure of speech to render balance and brevity to speech or writing. Being properly employed, it qualifies itself as a powerful tool that can instantly capture the undivided attention of listeners and readers alike. Hence, its importance cannot be underestimated.
Rhetorical Question
A rhetorical question is asked just for effect or to lay emphasis on some point discussed when no real answer is expected. A rhetorical question may have an obvious answer but the questioner asks rhetorical questions to lay emphasis to the point. In literature, a rhetorical question is self-evident and used for style as an impressive persuasive device.
Broadly speaking, a rhetorical question is asked when the questioner himself knows the answer already or an answer is not actually demanded. So, an answer is not expected from the audience. Such a question is used to emphasize a point or draw the audience’s attention.
Common Examples of Rhetorical Questions
Rhetorical questions, though almost needless or meaningless, seem a basic need of daily language. Some common examples of rhetorical questions from daily life are as follows.
“Who knows?”
“Are you stupid?”
“Did you hear me?”
“Ok?”
“Why not?”
Mostly, it is easy to spot a rhetorical question because of its position in the sentence. It occurs immediately after the comment made and states the opposite of it. The idea again is to make a point more prominent. Some rhetorical question examples are as follows. Keep in mind that they are also called tag questions if used in everyday conversation.
“It’s too hot today. Isn’t it?”
“The actors played the roles well. Didn’t they?”
Examples of Rhetorical Questions in Literature
|
|
|
Rhetorical questions in literature are as important as they are in daily language or perhaps even more. The reason is that the significant change a rhetorical question can bring about. The absence or presence of a rhetorical question in some of the most famous lines in literature would change the impact altogether. Some examples of rhetorical questions in literature show that writers sometimes ask such type of question and then goes on to answer it to produce a desired effects.
The questions don’t necessarily need an answer. They are neither questions nor plain statements rather something in between the two.
Дата добавления: 2020-01-07; просмотров: 329; Мы поможем в написании вашей работы! |
Мы поможем в написании ваших работ!