Few of them modern people, not related to the world of art, are familiar with such a literary term as constant epithets; examples of such expressions are rarely found in colloquial speech of people.
However, such special epithets exist, and this gives us the opportunity to talk about them. Let us consider the emergence of these expressions, their existence and scientific study.
Definition of the phenomenon
First, let's define this literary phenomenon. If we ask ourselves what epithets are, definition and examples this term, then we learn that the epithet is one of the means of creating imagery in a literary text. That's why it's called a figurative comparison.
The permanent epithet is stable character and manifests itself in traditional imagery.
Therefore, this group finds its vivid embodiment primarily in folklore texts various peoples living on earth.
Scientific understanding of the problem
It has been proven that constant epithets are most characteristic of oral folk art. Their main difference from other types of epithets is their stable character.
This tradition is continued in literary creativity, closely related to folklore material, which, for example, is the experience artistic literature people. Initially, there was not much color diversity in the culture. The people's understanding of the world and man was based on two colors - white and black. The constant epithets “white” and “black” used by prose writers reflected the symbolic component of the people’s worldview. IN mythological representation traditional peoples White color refers to the deities of the Upper World, and black - to the deities of the Lower World. According to mythology, the Upper World is inhabited by good creatures, and in Nizhny - evil. Therefore, each of them needs a different color.
This is where constant epithets are born, examples of which we will give below.
Thus, white means good, divine, and therefore protective. In literature, images with the epithet “black” are most often associated with dynamics - eventful or descriptive. We see a similar meaning of the epithet “black” in Russian classics. “Black faces” are an archetype of grief, grief. “Bright face” is an image of joy.
Constant epithet: examples, types, definition, use in literature
Epithets have different specific content. However, in relation to each other they are in an antonymic connection, like the adjectives “white” and “black”.
Let us consider other meanings of the epithet “white”, not related to the idea of pagan pantheon. In E. Aipin’s story “At the Fading Hearth” the image of the White Tsar is given: “I vividly imagined the White Tsar. He has a white-golden crown-cap on his head, like the Sun before winter weather. White hair, probably from graying. White beard. The white fur coat looks like it is made from the skin of a white deer. White mittens made of white camus. White high boots are also made of white casing. The white king in all white. That's why he's White. And white is the color of life.”
How do they manifest themselves in this text constant epithets, examples of which we just saw in the text?
IN in this case white color is the embodiment of life, natural energy, life-giving forces. It is in this sense that red is contrasted with white in E. Aipin’s story “God’s Message”, in which we're talking about about Lipetsk, who fought on the side of the whites. He does not admit his guilt and says: “No, people will stay. But not the Reds, but simply people with faith, people with God will remain...”
Epithets with negative and positive semantic meaning
Constant epithets, examples of which we see in this work, often include color characteristics as the most archetypal way of understanding the world.
For works of folklore of the peoples of the north (for example, the Khanty), the red color cannot bring life, the beginning of any positive movement, it is always the beginning of the end. In this context, the question that Joseph Sardakov asks in E. Aipin’s story “Russian Doctor” is understandable: “If a red man comes to my land, to my house with a rifle, with a machine gun, with a cannon, what should I do?”
As you can see, the epithet “red” has a negative connotation, and it is used in relation to unkind, evil people.
On the contrary, in works of Russian folklore “red” is a constant epithet with a positive semantic meaning.
Results of the study of epithets with constant meaning
What conclusion can be drawn by studying such a phenomenon as permanent epithet, examples of which are easy to find in works of oral folk art?
The conclusion is the following: archetypal constant epithets (“black”, “red”, “white”, etc.) in works of folklore do not reflect social affiliation at all, but actions and intentions towards others. So, constant epithets in literature, as in folklore, carry within themselves qualitative characteristics that the people endow with certain objects and objects; they become generally recognized archetypes.
This is how a permanent epithet is born, examples of which we examined in this article.
Russian language
What is an epithet and how to find it?
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Epithet – poetic device, giving a word a definition or expression. Used in literary texts, sometimes in poetic and lyrical works.
The purpose of the epithet will be to emphasize something special, its special expressiveness, what the author wants to draw attention to.
The use of such an artistic technique allows the author to add subtlety, depth and expressiveness to the text. An epithet is used to denote the author’s creative intent (see).
Simple and combined epithets
- simple - there is one adjective, an epithet for the word, for example: silk curls, deep eyes;
- fused - they have two or more roots and are perceived as one whole, for example: wonderfully mixed noise.
There is such a thing as an epithet of authorship, which is less common than others. Gives the sentence a unique meaning and additional expressiveness. When you see such texts in front of you, you begin to understand how complex and broad the writer’s worldview is.
The presence of epithets in the presentation gives a feeling of special semantic depth, which is filled with irony, bitterness, sarcasm and bewilderment.
Epithets help add brightness to images
Types of epithets
In Russian, the epithet is divided into three types:
General language
Norm literary phrases. There are about 210 epithets for the word “silence”: dull, exciting, deathly, sensitive.
Common linguistic epithets are:
- comparative. They are used to compare and liken one object to another (a dog's bark, a bear's gaze, a cat's purr);
- anthropomorphic. The basis is transfer human properties and signs of objects for natural phenomena, for example: a gentle breeze, a smiling sun, a sad birch tree;
- intensifyingly tautological. They repeat and intensify the signs of the object: soft cotton wool, soundless in silence, serious danger;
Folk poetic
Such epithets appeared thanks to oral folk art. Basically, the folklore flavor has been preserved. Unlike others, they are limited in compatibility: blue river, orange sun, brown bear.
Individually-authored
A rare semantic association. Basically, they are not reproduced, but have an occasional character, for example: chocolate mood, chamomile laughter, stone thunder.
Such combinations do not fit into the framework of general literary norms, but they create an animated effect and enhance expressiveness.
Constant
When techniques are used in set phrases, for example: Far Far Away kingdom, good fellow. When writing fiction the authors use:
- evaluative epithets (unbearable heat, lost feelings);
- descriptive (tired heart);
- emotional (dull autumn, sad time).
Thanks to epithets, an artistic phrase becomes more expressive.
How to find epithets in text?
Let's try to figure out what epithets are in the Russian language and how to recognize them in writing? They are placed immediately after the word being defined.
To achieve depth in the story and enhance the specificity of the sound, the authors place the epithets in a vertical position, that is, they are separated from each other. Famous Russian poets, when writing poems, placed them at the end of the line. When reading such works, the reader felt a sense of mystery.
To identify them in a work of art, you need to remember that they appear different parts speech. They are used as an adjective: the golden laughter of bells, the mysterious sounds of a violin.
It can also be found in the form of an adverb, for example: prayed fervently. Often they take the form of a noun (evening of disobedience); numeral (third hands).
For brevity, statements can be used as participles and verbal adjectives(what if I, pensive, can you come back?), gerunds.
Epithets in literature
What is an epithet in literature? Important element, which is impossible to do without when writing artwork. To write a compelling story that will attract the reader, it is important to resort to such techniques. When there are a lot of them in the text, this is also bad.
When a certain image, object or phenomenon is described by epithets, they will become more expressive. They have other goals, namely:
- emphasize characteristic feature or a property of an object that is described in the presentation, for example: blue sky, wild animal;
- explain and clarify the sign that will help distinguish this or that object, for example: leaves are purple, crimson, gold;
- used as a basis for creating something comic, for example. The authors combine words that have contrasting meanings: light brunette, bright night;
- allow the writer to express his opinion on the phenomenon being described;
- help to inspire the subject, for example: the first ringing of spring rumbles, rumbles in the dark blue sky;
- create an atmosphere and evoke the necessary emotions, for example: alien and lonely in everything;
- to form in readers their own opinion on what is happening, for example: a small scientist, but a pedant;
Epithets are often used in poems, stories, novels and short stories. They make them lively and exciting. They evoke in readers their emotions about what is happening.
It is safe to say that without epithets, literature would not fully exist.
Epithets in metaphor
In addition to the forms of epithets, they are divided according to the following characteristics:
- metaphorical. The epithet is based on this artistic technique, as a metaphor, for example: easy winter drawing, autumn gold, barren birches;
- metonymic. Their goal is to create a metonymic essence for the subject, for example: birch, funny language, her hot, scratching silence.
Mornings can be different and epithets will help If you use such techniques in your story, the reader will be able to perceive the described objects and phenomena more powerfully and vividly. In everyday life, art and fiction, epithets play an important role.
one of the tropes folk poetry: a definition word that is consistently combined with one or another defined word and denotes in an object some characteristic, always present generic sign (a pillared path, a red maiden, a good fellow, a blue sea, a clean field, black clouds). Such P. e. (see epithet) were a means of typification. Moreover, a word used with P. e. acquires a new quality, a meaning that differs in meaning from each of the words separately. The combination red maiden means “ beautiful girl, no different from others in anything special: neither more beautiful, nor smarter, nor richer than others.” If an ancient storyteller or singer needed to characterize the special properties of his characters, he looked for an epithet of an individualizing nature. Prince Vladimir, who is planning to get married, wants to find a bride worthy of his princely title, and creates the image of an ideal, from his point of view, girl: As if that girl were stately in figure, stately in figure and accomplished in mind, her white face, as if white snow...
The role of P. e. in folklore is huge. They are one of the main means artistic expression epics and songs, tales and legends. Some P. e. are widely used in all types of folklore: good fellow, clean field, blue sea, dark forests, green meadows. Others are found primarily in certain genres of folk poetry, while performing specific ideological and artistic functions. For example, P. e. is widely used in fairy tales. fantastic character: golden palace, crystal bridge, underground kingdom, firebird, flying carpet. In the epics of P. e. serve as an important tool in creating images of heroes, describing their armor and the situation of battles: mighty hero, good horse, red-hot arrow, damask club. In contrast to the epic genres of folklore, where P. e. play a mainly descriptive and figurative role; in folk poetry, the function of poetic e.g. predominantly expressive, emotional and evaluative. For example, in traditional lyrical songs The following emotional-evaluative E. are often encountered: dear mother, dear father, dear friend, maiden soul, poor little head, burning tears. P. e. are specific. ditties: cheerful little girl, dear fun, sweet drolya, desperate little head.
P. e. found in epic poetry different nations. Thus, Homer’s “Iliad” is characterized by P. e.: cloud-catcher Zeus, pink-fingered Eos, silver-legged Thetis.
Lit.: Epithet in Russian folk art. - M., 1980; Lazutin S.G. Poetics of Russian folklore. - M., 1981; see also lit. to the article Epithet.
"Permanent epithet" in books
Resident Gardener
by DeFelice JimResident Gardener Our sister platoon was in the eastern part of the city, helping the army establish a stronghold there. And to the north Marines was doing its job, occupying the territory and clearing it of militants. We worked with the Marines for several days when
Constant
From the book American Sniper by DeFelice JimConstant We had a memorial service for Mark Lee at Camp Ramadi. Navy SEALs came from all over Iraq. And I believe that all the army units with which we worked together also saw him off. They were very worried about us; it was impossible to believe. It's strong
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From book Big Book store director 2.0. New technologies by Krok GulfiraPermanent route
From the book Methodology early development Glen Doman. From 0 to 4 years author Straube E. A.A Consistent Route When you first start running, respect your child's desire to explore everything you run past. Each stop is an opportunity to teach him something, and then be sure to return to running. Sooner or later the child will study the entire route and
Constantine (Latin for "permanent")
From the book The Secret male name author Khigir Boris YurievichKonstantin (lat. “permanent”) Growing up as a fearful, anxious child. Kindergarten, especially in the first days - a problem, a new teacher - tears, entering a dark room - no way... Having matured, he skillfully hides his fears, choosing a humorous and ironic tone for this
Epithet
From book encyclopedic Dictionary(X-Z) author Brockhaus F.A.Epithet Epithet (Greek epiJetoV - superimposed, attached) is a term in literary theory: a definition of a word that affects its expressiveness. The content of this term is not stable and clear enough, despite its widespread use. The convergence of literary history
Constant capital
From the book Big Soviet Encyclopedia(KA) of the author TSBPermanent Neutrality
TSBD.C
From the book Great Soviet Encyclopedia (PO) by the author TSBPermanent magnet
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From the book Great Soviet Encyclopedia (EP) by the author TSBV. Verb - noun - epithet
From the book The Poetic Art of Mandelstam author Bushman Irina NikolaevnaV. Verb - noun - epithet A syntactic analysis of the sentences that make up Mandelstam's poems shows that they contain few adverbial words expressed by adverbs. This is not a random phenomenon. In the article “Notes on Chenier” Mandelstam writes:
Permanent Parent
author Makarov Viktor ViktorovichConstant Parent A person who acts primarily from the position of a Parent often perceives others as unreasonable little children. There are two most bright options permanent Parent. One with a predominance of the Punishing Parent, the other with the Encouraging Parent
Standing Adult
From the book Transactional Analysis - Eastern version author Makarov Viktor ViktorovichPermanent Adult The behavior of a person with a permanent Adult ego state is characterized by impartiality, focus on facts and logic. “Seabiscuit, robot, terminator” - such epithets are awarded to the Constant Adult, because he produces
Constant Child
From the book Transactional Analysis - Eastern version author Makarov Viktor ViktorovichPermanent Child A person who prefers the Child ego state is eternal boy or a girl, like Peter Pan, who did not want to grow up. The Permanent Child does not take responsibility for his own actions. Has no remorse and
(Greek eklgo, “I choose”), a combination of different, sometimes opposing views, theoretical premises, value judgments, etc. As a methodological technique consisting in the unsystematic collection and combination of various information and knowledge, eclecticism was used in late Greek philosophy.
Elegiac distic · combination of hexameter and pentameter (five-dimensional verse). The latter is actually a type of hexameter and is, as it were, composed of doubling the first two and a half feet of the hexameter: -vv-vv-||-vv-vv-
Epigram ·(Greek epigramma, “inscription”), one of the types of satirical poetry, a short poem ridiculing a person or social phenomenon. IN Ancient Greece originally - a genre of lyric-epic poetry, a short inscription on objects, made. Already at this stage distinguishing feature epigrams - relative brevity and the presence of a subjective element, an ever-increasing role author's assessment in the image of a person, event, phenomenon. In Roman literature, starting from the 1st century BC. and further, the role of exposure in the epigram increases, it becomes a type of satire.
You can read more about the epigram in the chapter in the textbook by N.A. Chistyakova, N.V. Vulikh, “History of Ancient Literature.”
Epikinium · piece of art, created to glorify winners.
This term is associated with the name of the Greek poet Pindar. Pindar's epinicia, often called odes, are very distinctive. At first glance, they consist of separate, unrelated parts. The epiniky usually begins with an indication of the reason for its execution, then it is noted that of the many applicants, only one was awarded the first award; this is followed by a description of the winner, a story about his family, accompanied by some myth associated with the homeland of the winner or with his legendary ancestors or similar to this event. The epinikic reasoning concludes general, often representing the thoughts of the poet himself. In such an epinician structure, the glorification of an individual victory is combined with the entire complex of ideas and representations of the Pindaric world. The unity of the Epinikians of Pindar is not internal structure, but in the deep interconnection of individual parts that reflected the poet’s worldview.
Epithet ·(Greek epitheton, “application”), a definition that gives the expression figurativeness and emotionality, emphasizing one of the characteristics of the object or one of the impressions about the object; here it is often used in the meaning of “name”, “nickname”.
Permanent epithet- a colorful definition, inextricably combined with the word being defined and forming a stable figurative and poetic expression (“blue sea”, “white stone chambers”, “red maiden”, “ clear falcon”, “sugar lips”). Constant epithets are found mainly in folk poetry.
Eponym ·(from the Greek eponymos, “name giver”), a god, hero or person, the ancestor of an area, tribe, city, etc., from whose name its name is derived.
Epic ·(from the Greek epos, “word”), one of the three types of fiction (along with and ), a narrative characterized by the depiction of events external to the author.
IN in the narrow sense words - folk epic, a specific folk poetic variety narrative works in prose and poetry. How oral creativity epic is inseparable from performing arts a singer whose skill is based on following traditions.
The archaic type of epic is mythical tales and legends. With this view ancient epic its subsequent, classical type is connected - the historical-heroic epic. Its example is the Iliad. Unlike the previous epic of this type, it is historically specific and reproduces the norms of heroic human behavior in a monumental, idealized form.
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IN school curriculum The epithet receives a lot of attention: entire lessons are devoted to it, from the fifth grade to the ninth. Epithet is important means of expression, used not only by writers, but also ordinary people in everyday speech. Perhaps they are not so ornate and do not represent any artistic value, but each of us uses them almost daily.
This figure of speech was actively used by poets and writers of the 18th and 19th centuries, thanks to whom the modern Russian language emerged. These are Pushkin, Derzhavin, Baratynsky and others. The epithet is artistic definition phenomenon or object, helping to more vividly imagine this object, to feel how the author relates to it. As we are used to saying - a colorful definition. Word in figurative meaning- this is an epithet. Examples: sad man- here the word is used in its direct meaning; sad weather- figuratively. Dictionaries give other, more detailed definitions.
Expanded definition of epithet
An epithet is a word or an entire expression that, thanks to its structure and special functions in the text, is capable of acquiring a new semantic connotation or even meaning, thus highlighting unique individual characteristics in the depicted object and forcing it to be evaluated from a new, unusual point of view.
An epithet can interact with any type of semantic transfer - metonymy, metaphor, hyperbole, oxymoron, etc., coloring the text in a certain key. The expressive function of this figure of speech becomes most noticeable when it forms a synonymous (sometimes quasi-synonymous) series, in which each of its members shades or complements the epithet. Examples: dull, sad weather; sad, mournful reflection of withering.
Permanent epithet
One that, when combined with the defined word, forms a stable figurative and poetic expression. That is, these are phrases or phrases that, when we hear them, we no longer feel that they are an epithet. Examples: Golden autumn
, blue ocean. We find especially many constant epithets in folklore: red maiden, good fellow, clear field.
Grammatical form of epithets, its characteristics and functions
The opinions of philologists differ on these issues. Some are sure that only a definition expressed by an adjective can act as an epithet. Others are inclined to believe that the grammatical function of an epithet word can be different, the main thing being the defining position of another word. In other words, both a verb, an adverb, and a gerund under certain circumstances are an epithet. Examples: reigns ghostly(I. Brodsky), sneaking, playing hide and seek, the sky comes down(B. Pasternak). As we can see from the definition and explanations, epithets actually occur in everyday speech: don’t we talk about a gloomy sky or sad rain? These figures allow us to make our speech figurative and pleasant.
