Brief notes on MALAPROPISM , MASQUE ,MEIOSIS , MELODRAMA and METAPHOR

Notes of  MALAPROPISM , MASQUE, MEIOSIS , MELODRAMA and METAPHOR

 

MALAPROPISM

 Malapropism refers to ludicrous misuse of word or words in mistake for one resembling it, e.g., ' derangement of epitaphs ' for ' arrangement of epithets. ' This word is derived from Mrs. Malaprop , an amusing character in Sheridan's play " The Rivals " who often wrongly used a high sounding word for another like - sounding word . When she was accused of misapplying words, she proudly asserted, “Sure, if I reprehend anything in this world Treasury of Literary Terms it is the use of my oracular tongue and a nice derangement of my epitaphs.” What she really meant by the words as underlined here. Was, apprehend, vernacular, arrangement and epithets respectively. The best thing for a young writer to do is to consult a dictionary whenever he is in doubt of the exact meaning of a word, so that he may not find himself bogged in Malapropism.

 

 MASQUE

 A masque is a kind of amateur dramatic and musical entertainment that was popular, during the reign of Elizabeth I, James I and Charles I. In other words, it flourished towards the later part of the 16th century and in the 17th century. A masque is known for its unique combination of poetic drama, song, dance and music. It is a kind of play in which there is a great deal of music and dancing. Sometimes the characters are allegorical and as such represent thoughts or emotions rather than human beings. The term masque gets its name from the word ' Mask. ‘The costumes used and the structure of the play are usually simple. At first all actors who appeared in this kind of play wore masks. The actors did this because it was the custom in the early Greek theatre to have the actors wear masks representing the emotions of the characters in the drama and the first masques were presented by the Greeks. In England, the masques were private entertainments put on at court or at the homes of noblemen. They were imitation of masques performed in the Italian and French theatre. The best known writer of masques in English literature is Ben Jonson, but the best known masque is Milton's " Comus.”

 

MEIOSIS or (Understatement)

 Meiosis or understatement is a contrary figure to Hyperbole or overstatement. It is a Greek term meaning lessening. This figure of speech signifies something as much less in magnitude or importance than it really is. Thus the effect is usually ironic. Some critics extend this figure to the use of an utterly simple, unemphatic statement to enhance the effect of a pathetic or tragic situation. The line “And never lifted up a single stone “at the close of the narrative in Wordsworth's ' Michael ' is a fine example of meiosis.

 

MELODRAMA

Melodrama ' Melos ' is Greek for ' song ' and the term ' melodrama ' is applied to plays with songs interspersed and with orchestral music accompanying the action. The musical accompaniment was used simply to fortify the emotional tone of the various scenes. As farce is related to comedy so also melodrama hears its relation to tragedy. In a melodrama, the protagonists are Watt types and the villain is described as a monster of malignity. The adjective melodramatic refers to any literary work or episode that owes its basis to improbable events and sensational action.  

 

 METAPHOR

The word metaphor is considered the most important form of figurative language. It comes from the Greek word ' metaphor ' meaning ' carrying over; ' Meta ' means ' over ' and ' herein, to carry. A metaphor is defined in the dictionary as a figure of speech in which a word or phrase literally devoting one kind of object or idea is used in place of another by way of suggesting a likeness or analogy between them ( the ship plows the sea ; a valley of oaths ) . It implies a comparison between two objects and the comparison is covert but not overt as in a simile. In the examples of the dictionary quoted above, the motion of the ship through the water is compared with that of a plow through the soil. Similarly, in the second example, the oaths are compared with bullets or arrows. Thus metaphor in its use of the word is that which indicates something different from the literal meaning. That is to say, it does not mean what it says. 

As for example: 

(I) He has a heart of stone. 

(II) the eldest son is the star of the family. 

(III) I'll make him cat his words. Here heart is not a stone. 

The eldest son is not the star. Words cannot be eaten. It is evident that words which intend to mean what they say are said to be literal. In fact figurative language deliberately interferes with the system of literal usage by its assumption that terms literally connected with one object can be transferred to another object. The interference takes the form of transference or ' carry over, with the aim of achieving a new, wider, and special or more precise meaning. There are different forms of transference or ' turnings ' of language away from literal meanings. Metaphor involves the basic pattern of transference and is generally regarded as the fundamental figure of speech. Aristotle rightly remarks: “The greatest thing by far is to be a master of metaphor. It is the one thing that cannot be learned from others; and it is also a sign of genius. “The poets who use metaphors in their poetry are able to communicate the most complex  ideas to their readers effectively and forcefully.