Definition and Examples of Epiphora in Rhetoric

Definition and Examples of Epiphora in Rhetoric Epiphora- also known as  epistrophe- is a  rhetorical term for the repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive clauses. Contrast with anaphora (rhetoric). The combination of anaphora and epiphora (that is, the repetition of words or phrases at both the beginning and end of successive clauses) is called symploce. EtymologyFrom the Greek, bringing to Examples and Observations Where now? Who now? When now?- Samuel Beckett, The Unnamable, 1953[T]here is only one thing about which I am certain, and this is that there is very little about which one can be certain.- W. Somerset Maugham, quoted by Laurence Brander in Somerset Maugham: A Guide. Oliver Boyd, 1963Take whatever idiot they have at the top of whatever agency and give me a better idiot. Give me a caring idiot. Give me a sensitive idiot. Just don’t give me the same idiot.†- Aaron Broussard, president of Jefferson Parish, speaking about FEMA Chief Michael Brown, September 6, 2005Im a Pepper, hes a Pepper, shes a Pepper, were a Pepper. Wouldnt you like to be a Pepper, too? Dr. Pepper.- Advertising jingle for Dr. Peppper soft drinkWe deal in illusions, man. None of it is true! But you people sit there, day after day, night after night- also known asall ages, colors, creeds.Youre beginning to believe the illusions were spinning here! Youre beginning to think that the tube is reality and that your own lives are unreal. You do whatever the tube tells you.You dress like the tube.You eat like the tube.You raise your children like the tube.You even think like the tube.This is mass madness, you maniacs! In Gods name, you people are the real thing. We are the illusion!- Peter Finch as television anchorman Howard Beale in Network, 1976 Success hasn’t changed Frank Sinatra. When he was unappreciated and obscure, he was hot-tempered, egotistical, extravagant, and moody. Now that he is rich and famous, he is still hot-tempered, egotistical, extravagant, and moody.- Dorothy Kilgallen, 1959 newspaper columnThere is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America.- Bill ClintonIve gotta be your damn conscience. Im tired of being your conscience. I dont enjoy being your conscience.- Dr. Wilson to Dr. House in HouseShes safe, just like I promised. Shes all set to marry Norrington, just like she promised. And you get to die for her, just like you promised.- Jack Sparrow, Pirates of the CaribbeanAnd now when I sway to a fitful wind, alone and listing, I will think, maple key. When I see a photograph of earth from space, the planet so startlingly painterly and hung, I will think, maple key. When I shake your hand or meet your eyes I will think, two maple keys. If I am a maple key falling, at least I can twirl.- Annie Dillard, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, 1974 Epiphora and Parallel Structures Epiphora can be combined with parallelism, as in the following expression attributed to both [Abraham] Lincoln and P. T. Barnum: You can fool some of the people all of the time and all of the people some of the time, but you cant fool all of the people all of the time.- James Jasinski, Sourcebook on Rhetoric. Sage, 2001 Shakespeares Use of Epiphora Then, since this earth affords no joy to meBut to command, to check, to o’erbear suchAs are of better person than myself,I’ll make my heaven to dream upon the crown;And, whiles I live, to account this world but hell,Until my mis-shap’d trunk that bears this headBe round impaled with a glorious crown.And yet I know not how to get the crown,For many lives stand between me and home.- Gloucester in William Shakespeares The Third Part of King Henry the Sixth, Act 3, scene 2 Fie, fie, thou shamest thy shape, thy love, thy wit,Which, like a userer, aboundst in all,And uses none in that true sense indeedWhich should bedeck thy shape, thy love, thy wit.- Friar Laurence in William Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet, Act 3, scene 3 Polyptoton and Epiphora A form of epiphora . . . can be created by way of polyptoton (variations on a word). An ad for Suffolk University features the statement, Politics is your life. Now make it your living (life and living are both derived from the Old English word libban). Epiphora can be combined with parallelism, as in the following expression attributed to both Lincoln and P.T. Barnum: You can fool some of the people all of the time and all of the people some of the time, but you cant fool all of the people all of the time.- James Jasinkski, Sourcebook on Rhetoric: Key Concepts in Contemporary Rhetorical Studies. Sage, 2001 Pronunciation: ep-i-FOR-ah