Hysteron proteron: Difference between revisions
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The '''hysteron proteron''' (from the {{lang-el|ὕστερον πρότερον}}, ''hýsteron próteron'', "latter before") is a [[rhetoric]]al device |
The '''hysteron proteron''' (from the {{lang-el|ὕστερον πρότερον}}, ''hýsteron próteron'', "latter before") is a [[rhetoric]]al device. It occurs when the first key word of the idea refers to something that happens temporally later than the second key word. The goal is to call attention to the more important idea by placing it first.<ref>{{cite book | last = Smyth | first = Herbert Weir | year = 1920 | title = Greek Grammar | publisher = Harvard University Press | location = Cambridge MA | isbn = 0-674-36250-0 | pages = 679–680}}</ref> |
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The standard example comes from the ''[[Aeneid]]'' of [[Virgil]]: "''Moriamur, et in media arma ruamus''" ("'''Let us die, and charge into the thick of the fight'''"; ii. 353). A similar example is found in the Roman "gladiatorial salute" "''[[Ave Imperator, morituri te salutant]]''" ("''Hail Emperor, those who are about to die salute you''"). |
The standard example comes from the ''[[Aeneid]]'' of [[Virgil]]: "''Moriamur, et in media arma ruamus''" ("'''Let us die, and charge into the thick of the fight'''"; ii. 353). A similar example is found in the Roman "gladiatorial salute" "''[[Ave Imperator, morituri te salutant]]''" ("''Hail Emperor, those who are about to die salute you''"). |
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In addition to the traditional use, hysteron proteron is often cited modernly as the usage of a succinct sentence in poetry as a transition between two interposed points and to emphasize the relationship between them or as one line equivocal of two structurally larger paragraphs. This is oft used by the revered poet Matthew Arnold; the seminal example of this is the transitional line between stanzas 1 and 4 in the episcopalian "To Marguerite—Continued," Arnold's ruminative, metaphysical commentary on mental isolation; "''Across the sounds and channels pour --... But but how long we walk without the moon, one of speckling and sparkling sheen... Oh! then a longing like despair''". |
In addition to the traditional use, hysteron proteron is often cited modernly as the usage of a succinct sentence in poetry as a transition between two interposed points and to emphasize the relationship between them or as one line equivocal of two structurally larger paragraphs. This is oft used by the revered poet Matthew Arnold; the seminal example of this is the transitional line between stanzas 1 and 4 in the episcopalian "To Marguerite—Continued," Arnold's ruminative, metaphysical commentary on mental isolation; "''Across the sounds and channels pour --... But but how long we walk without the moon, one of speckling and sparkling sheen... Oh! then a longing like despair''". |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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Revision as of 18:21, 23 February 2014
The hysteron proteron (from the Template:Lang-el, hýsteron próteron, "latter before") is a rhetorical device. It occurs when the first key word of the idea refers to something that happens temporally later than the second key word. The goal is to call attention to the more important idea by placing it first.[1]
The standard example comes from the Aeneid of Virgil: "Moriamur, et in media arma ruamus" ("Let us die, and charge into the thick of the fight"; ii. 353). A similar example is found in the Roman "gladiatorial salute" "Ave Imperator, morituri te salutant" ("Hail Emperor, those who are about to die salute you").
An example of hysteron proteron encountered in everyday life is the common reference to putting on one's "shoes and socks,” rather than "socks and shoes."
Hysteron proteron in poetry
 | This article may be written in a style that is too abstract to be readily understandable by general audiences. (April 2013) |
 | This section needs additional citations for verification. (April 2013) |
In addition to the traditional use, hysteron proteron is often cited modernly as the usage of a succinct sentence in poetry as a transition between two interposed points and to emphasize the relationship between them or as one line equivocal of two structurally larger paragraphs. This is oft used by the revered poet Matthew Arnold; the seminal example of this is the transitional line between stanzas 1 and 4 in the episcopalian "To Marguerite—Continued," Arnold's ruminative, metaphysical commentary on mental isolation; "Across the sounds and channels pour --... But but how long we walk without the moon, one of speckling and sparkling sheen... Oh! then a longing like despair".
See also
References
- ^ Smyth, Herbert Weir (1920). Greek Grammar. Cambridge MA: Harvard University Press. pp. 679–680. ISBN 0-674-36250-0.
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