Anaphora: know this figure of speech

If pleonasm is the repetition of the same idea through different words in the same sentence, the anaphora it is simply the repetition of the same word and the same idea at the beginning of each sentence.

This figure of speech can occur as poetic license in literary works and music, or as an oversight. Classified as a construction figure, it interferes with the structure of the text through the expressiveness contained in this repetition.

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Anaphora: know this figure of speech

Let's go to the examples?

Examples of anaphora or anaphora

Below, an example of what can occur in an anaphora due to sheer negligence of the interlocutor. The excerpt below is from an alleged termination of the relationship with a tone of vengeance, in which anger did not allow the editing of the text. This caused the repetition of the same words at each beginning of a sentence:

• “Why am I breaking up? It's because I thought I knew you, but I was wrong. It's because I thought there were still faithful men. It's because I thought I could be happy again. It's because I'm tired of being a Muggle. It's because I prefer to be alone than in the company of fake people. It's because I prefer solitude to betrayal. It's because I can't believe anyone anymore. It's because I can't stand being the last to know about things anymore. Anyway, it's because I got tired of loving the wrong person. That's why I'm breaking up with you!”;
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The term “it is because” with the meaning of cause was very expressive as to the reasons for the end of the relationship. Although it was an oversight, it fulfilled the functions of the construction figures well, changing the structure of the text to emphasize the intensity.

Now, let's go to examples in cultural productions, such as in this song by Marisa Monte, “Segue o seco”:

• “Without realizing that the thorn is dry. Without realizing how dry it is to be sun. Without realizing that some dry thorn will dry…/ If you end up not getting used to it. If you end up standing still. If you end up softly crying. If you end up a bit abandoned”.

Here, anaphora is used to add more beauty to the song that talks about the suffering of drought.

Another example is in the song “Indios”, by the group Legião Urbana. The repetition of words at the beginning of a stanza expresses the intensity of the regret for not having the opportunity to do what I would like:

• “I wish I had all the gold I gave back to whoever…/ I wish I could forget that I believed it was just a joke…/ I wish I could at least once explain what no one can understand…/ I wish I could just once prove that someone who has more than he needs to have…/ I wish I had at least one since the simplest was seen as the most important…/ I wish I could understand that one God at the same time is three…/ I wish I had at least once to believe for a moment in everything that exists…/ I wish I had at least once let the world know that your name…/ I wish I had at least once as the most beautiful tribe…/".

To meet others figures of language, keep browsing our blog.