| Figure Name | diaphora |
| Source | Silva Rhetoricae (http://humanities.byu.edu/rhetoric/Silva.htm); Peacham (1593) |
| Earliest Source | |
| Synonyms | ploche |
| Etymology | Gk. "distinction, variance" |
| Type | Chroma |
| Linguistic Domain |
Syntactic |
| Definition |
1. Repetition of a common name so as to perform two logical functions: to designate an individual and to signify the qualities connoted by that individual's name or title. (Silva Rhetoricae) 2. Diaphora is much like to Ploce, but yet they differ, onely in this, that Ploce repeateth a proper name, and this a common word. (Peacham) |
| Example |
1. The president is not the president when he compromises his morals and our trust so basely. 1. Boys will be boys. 2. What man is there living but will pitie such a case: if he be a man, in the repetition man signifieth humanity, or compassion proper to mans nature. 2. If your cause be just, feare not the Judge, for he wil do right because he is a Judge. In the former place Judge signifieth his person and authoritie, in the later, the consideration and speciall end of possessing that authoritie. 2. Phisition heale thy selfe if thoug beest a Phisition, that is, if thou hast the skill and science of Phisicke. |
| Kind Of | Repetition Series |
| Part Of | |
| Related Figures | antanaclasis, traductio, figures of repetition |
| Notes | Peacham argues that "not every common" word should be repeated, but rather important words that may change signification through their repetition. |
| Confidence | Unconfident |
| Last Editor | Ashley Rose Kelly |
| Confidence | Unconfident |
| Editorial Notes | |
| Reviewed | No |