Prosthesis is a rhetorical and linguistic device that introduces an additional sound or syllable at the start of a word for aesthetic effect. This approach frequently affects how a sentence sounds and carries meaning. Prosthesis promotes focus and sustaining rhythm in the poetry. It introduces a historic or artistic tone for conversation and narration.
Definition of Prosthesis
In literary terms, prosthesis signifies adding a sound syllable or phoneme at the start of a word. This modification often changes the pace of language while making it conform to a particular rhythm or infusing it with creativity.
Prosthesis serves to beautify or enhance the language rather than to transform its inherent meaning unlike other types of word alterations.
For example, Shakespeare often included prosthesis to arrange words according to the rhythm in his verse and to enrich the lyrical or theatrical character of dialogue.
Why Do Authors Use Prosthesis?
In poetry, the authors constantly change words to keep the flow or rhythm intact. Prosthesis serves as a valuable means to get this done while preserving the original sense of the word.
If an author incorporates an extra sound at the beginning of a word, he can confirm that the line meets the expected metrical standards.
By adding the extra sound or syllable, one can emphasize specific words or phrases and make them stand out to readers. For conversations or stage presentations, this approach proves to be especially useful for highlighting key expressions.
Prosthesis helps to convey time and place while enhancing the depth of a character. Adding a unique or antiquated syllable to a word allows one to capture the conversation of an old time or a unique social background enriching the atmosphere of the text.
The authors incorporate prosthesis into a character dialogue styles to unify distinctive voices and create clear separation among the characters. This can boost character depth and create a more recognizable tone in the dialogue.
Examples of Prosthesis in Literature
Example#1
“Hamlet” by William Shakespeare
“When I to sulphurous and tormenting flames must render up myself.”
In this line, Shakespeare replaces the word ‘torment’ with ‘tormenting’. By adding ‘-ing’, it becomes a prosthetic device, which enhances the melodic quality and drama of the line.
This case of prosthesis with a prefix is infrequent yet Shakespeare consistently alters word structure to keep his verse flowing and harmonize with the iambic pentameter measure. By adding the extra syllable the rhythm’s demands is addressed and the intensity of pain is amplified.
Example#2
“The Canterbury Tales” by Geoffrey Chaucer
“Ful ofte tyme he hadde the bord bigonne.”
“The fruyt of every tale is for to seye.”
“And after that he with ful yore had seyn.”
In “The Canterbury Tales”, the given excerpt shows how the author uses prosthesis by prefixing the term ‘gon’ with ‘bi-‘ to turn it into ‘bigonne’ and by putting an emphasis on ‘ful’ in ‘ful yore’.
The use of these extra syllables maintain the flow of Middle English poetry by adding a special rhythm and pattern in the verses.
His application of prosthesis improves the rhythm of his poetry and adjusts to the syllable needs of Middle English verses while bringing an ancient flavor that suits the language from his time.
This addition of syllable frequently lengthened and ornamented words for both poetic presentation and impact.
Example#3
“The Faerie Queene” by Edmund Spenser
“Bespeake the courteous knight of gentle lore, who long time sought the Ladie faire Amore.”
In the poem, the author incorporates prosthesis in the word “bespeake”, which represents an earlier version of the word “speak” with the prefix “be-.” This helps to give the language a more formal and outdated tone in line with Spenser’s goal of imitating classical epic verse.
The additional syllable assists in sustaining the meter of the line. The poet frequently applies prosthesis to craft poetry that appears grand and traditional-shown in the chivalric and allegorical themes of the tale.
Example#4
“The Rape of the Lock” by Alexander Pope
“It was the shock of shocks, the dread, the woeful plight / That caused the Gods themselves in heaven to affright.”
In this ironic poem, the term “affright” replaces the contemporary word “frighten”. The prefix “a-” exemplifies prosthesis that Pope applies to enhance the metrical structure of the poem and inject a formal sense.
By incorporating prosthesis in this manner, the poem adopts a mock-heroic format that imitates the grandeur of epic poetry and engages with modest events. The inclusion of the extra syllable adjusts Pope’s verse’s rhythm and boosts the comedic and exaggerated sense of the poem.
See also: Examples of Premise in Literature
Example#5
“Paradise Lost” John Milton
“Of Man’s first disobedience, and the fruit / Of that forbidden tree whose mortal taste / Brought death into the World, and all our woe, / With loss of Eden, till one greater Man / Restore us, and regain the blissful seat.”
Milton’s Paradise Lost uses “restore” instead of “store” or “save”, and adds the prefix “re-” to function as prosthesis. The author frequently alters the words to enhance the epical feel of his poetry and to preserve its lavish and intricate structure.
Milton uses the added syllable to organize his verses and ensure a smooth rhythm in unrhymed iambic pentameter. The addition of extra syllables in phrases such as “restore” enhances the grand and formal mood of the poem while bringing attention to its extensive scale and religious undertones.
Difference Between Aphaeresis, Apocope, and Prosthesis
Prosthesis involves the addition of a syllable at the beginning of a word, other similar rhetorical devices operate differently:
Aphaeresis: This process cuts off a syllable at the beginning of a word. For example, ‘around’ could turn into its equivalent ’round’. In poetry, aphaeresis is meant to maintain meter or produce a more casual tone.
Apocope: This device requires the extraction of a syllable or sound from the concluding part of the word. As an illustration, “evening” becomes just “even”. Apocope frequently modifies the arrangement of speech or verse or represents modern dialects.
Prosthesis: Earlier mentioned prosthesis introduces a syllable to the start of a word like ‘escape’ changing into ‘bescape’. The use of prosthesis often addresses artistic intent or rhythmic balance.
Functions of Prosthesis
The main role of prosthesis is to regulate a rhythmic structure like iambic pentameter in poetry. It adheres to the rhythm and beauty essential for various types of verse.
Prosthesis allows you to establish the tone and style of a narrative. The change of the words allows the writers to produce the atmosphere that reflects an elegant or stylized setting suitable for the tone of the story. This serves a considerable purpose in literature from the past or the imaginary.
It adds musicality or elegance to the text. Prosthesis also shapes the rhythm and tone in the language. Adding a syllable can boost the rhythm or highlight certain sounds improving the overall readability.
Prosthesis helps in distinguishing character speech patterns and elevating character development. In theatrical works, it can mark magical prowess or history of a character.
See also: Literary Devices That Start With P
