"Those RULES of old discover'd not devis'd
Are nature still, but Nature Mehtodiz'd
Nature, Like Liberty is but restrain'd
By the same Laws which first herself ordain'd
What is this an example of
simile
hyperbole
analogy
overstatement
personification
I'm thinking it is either analogy or personification in comparing nature and liberty to a woman as "her" This was written by Pope in "An Essay on Criticism"
or could it be a simile when it states Nature like Liberty is but restrin'd
simile - use of "like" or "as" to make the comparison
metaphor - no use of "like" or "as" to make the comparison
Look up all terms here and let us know what you decide:
http://www.tnellen.com/cybereng/lit_terms/
I'm thinking it is a simile but couldn't it be a personification, also?
To determine the correct answer, let's break down the poem excerpt and analyze the options provided.
The excerpt states:
"Those RULES of old discover'd not devis'd
Are nature still, but Nature Methodized
Nature, Like Liberty is but restrain'd
By the same Laws which first herself ordain'd"
In this excerpt, the speaker is comparing "Nature" and "Liberty" to convey a particular idea. They are suggesting that both Nature and Liberty are constrained or restricted by the laws that they themselves established.
Now, let's evaluate the options:
1. Simile: A simile is a figure of speech that compares two things using "like" or "as". While there is a comparison being made here, the excerpt does not explicitly use "like" or "as," so it is not a simile.
2. Hyperbole: Hyperbole is an exaggeration used for emphasis or dramatic effect. The excerpt does not contain any extreme exaggerations, so it is not a hyperbole.
3. Analogy: An analogy is a comparison between two things. This option seems plausible since the excerpt compares Nature and Liberty. However, an analogy typically involves explaining one thing in terms of another to highlight similarities. In this case, the excerpt merely emphasizes that Nature and Liberty are constrained by their own laws, without explaining one in terms of the other. Therefore, it is not an analogy.
4. Overstatement: Overstatement, also known as exaggeration, involves portraying something as more significant or intense than it actually is. However, the excerpt does not contain any exaggerated statements, so it is not an overstatement.
5. Personification: Personification ascribes human characteristics to something non-human. In this excerpt, both Nature and Liberty are personified as entities that can be restrained by laws, as if they were individuals. Therefore, personification is the correct answer.
In conclusion, the example in the given excerpt is an instance of personification.