epimone

Figure Name epimone
Source Silva Rhetoricae (http://humanities.byu.edu/rhetoric/Silva.htm); Isidore 2.21.43; Susenbrotus (1540) 41; Putt. (1589) 233 ("epimone," "the love burden"); JG Smith (1665) ("epimone"); Peacham (1593); Demetrius (1902) 195; Bullinger (1898) ("epimone; or lingering")
Earliest Source None
Synonyms the love burden, perseverantia, lingering
Etymology from Gk. epi, "upon" and meno, "to remain" or "dwell" ("a staying on," "tarrying," "dwelling upon")
Type Chroma
Linguistic Domain Semantic
Definition

1. Persistent repetition of the same plea in much the same words. (Silva Rhetoricae)

2. A tarrying long upon one matter: a figure whereby we continue and persist in the same cause, much after one form of speech, &c.; Epimone, Commoratio, item persoverantia, a tarrying long upon one matter; derived from [epimeno] maneo, (i. e.) expecto ob rem aliquam, to stay or wait for something. Epimone is a figure whereby the speaker dwels upon, and persists in a former conclusion, or the same cause much after one form of speech, but repeated in other words more plainly: By others it is said to be when the speaker knowing whereon the greatest weight of his cause or matter doth depend, makes often recourse thither, and repeats it many times by variation. (JG Smith)

3. Epimone in Latine Perseverantia, is a form of speech, by which the speaker continueth and persisteth in the same cause, much after one forme of speech.

4. A mode of expression going beyond the bare statement of fact, will contribute very greatly to vigour of style. (Demetrius)

5. Repetition in order to dwell upon for sake of Impressing... [see Etymology] This figure is so called because the repetition is not of words, but of sense, by way of dwelling upon the principal point of a subject, so that it may be well understood, and remain with due weight upon the mind of the hearer or reader. (Bullinger, 428)

Example

3. There is a good example hereof in Abrahams praier or sute to God for the Sodomites, saying: “if there be fiftie righteous within the Citie wilt thou destroy, and not spare the place for the fiftie rigteous that are therein? That be far from thee, & c.” Gen.18. And thus he continueth perseverantly his suite and praier to the first request. (Peacham)

3. Another example of Christ, speaking to Peter: “Simon Joanna lovest thou me more then these? feede my sheepe” Joh.21.: which saying he repeateth three times, one shortly after another. (Peacham)

2. And shall so eminent a vertue be expelled, thrust out, banished, and cast away from the City? (JG Smith)

4. 'Men of Athens, a terrible
malady has fallen upon Hellas...' (Demetrius)

5. Zech. 1:3-6 is referred to Epimone; because the repetition is not of words, but of sense, by way of dwelling upon the principal point of a subject, so that it may be well understood, and remain with due weight upon the mind of the hearer or reader. (Bullinger, 428)

Kind Of Repetition
Part Of
Related Figures figures of pathos, figures of exclamation
Notes
Confidence Unconfident
Last Editor Ioanna Malton
Confidence Unconfident
Editorial Notes
Reviewed No