prolepsis etymology

Etymology

• Greek: πρόληψις (prolēpsis), "anticipation, prior knowledge"
• Components:
  • πρό (pro), "before"
  • λῆψις (lēpsis), "taking, acquisition"

Meaning and Origin

Prolepsis is a literary and rhetorical device that refers to a technique in which an author presents an event or situation out of its chronological order, referring to it before it actually happens in the narrative. This can be done for various reasons, such as foreshadowing, suspense, or creating a sense of urgency.

The term was originally used in ancient Greek rhetoric to refer to an argumentative strategy in which a speaker anticipates and addresses potential objections or counter-arguments before they are raised by their opponent. This allowed the speaker to control the narrative and present their case in the most favorable light.

Over time, the term's usage expanded beyond rhetoric into literature and other creative writing forms. Authors use prolepsis to create a variety of effects, including:

• Foreshadowing: Prolepsis can be used to hint at or foreshadow events that will occur later in the story, building suspense and anticipation.
• Suspense: By presenting events out of order, prolepsis can create a sense of uncertainty and keep readers guessing about what will happen next.
• Dramatic irony: Prolepsis can create a sense of irony by allowing readers to know something that the characters in the story do not, creating a humorous or thought-provoking effect.
• Narrative flow: Prolepsis can be used to break up the monotony of a chronological narrative, creating a more dynamic and engaging reading experience.

Examples of prolepsis in literature include:

• In Shakespeare's play "Hamlet," the ghost of Hamlet's father appears to him early in the play, revealing the murder that Hamlet must avenge.
• In J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings," the prophecy of the One Ring is introduced at the beginning of the story, foreshadowing the epic quest that will follow.
• In George Orwell's novel "1984," the protagonist Winston Smith has a vision of his own execution in the first chapter, setting the stage for the dystopian story that unfolds.

prolepsis relate terms

• lemma

  Etymology The word lemma has its origins in ancient Greek Lemma λήμμα thing

• proclaim

  Etymology The word proclaim comes from the Middle English word proclamen which in tu

• proceed

  Etymology Latin prōcēdere to come forth advance Meaning To continue or pro

• prohibit

  Etymology The word prohibit comes from the Latin prohibere which means to hold bac

• provide

  Etymology The word etymology comes from the Greek words etymon meaning true sense

• procure

  Etymology The word procure comes from the Latin word procurare which means to take

• proconsul

  Etymology From Latin proconsul meaning acting on behalf of a consul Meaning

• pronoun

  Etymology The word pronoun is derived from the Latin word prōnōmen which means i

• problem

  Etymology Greek πρόβλημα problema obstacle question Latin problema di

• notion

  Etymology of Notion The word notion originates from the Old French word notion meani

• ambition

  Etymology and Meaning of Ambition The word ambition comes from the Latin word ambitio

• poindexter

  Etymology The term Poindexter originated as a fictional character in the 1950s comic s

• ground

  Etymology The word ground has several origins Old English grund meaning soil

• Spam

  Etymology The term spam is a portmanteau of spiced ham a canned meat product sold b

• mimosa

  Etymology Late Latin mimosa feminine of mimosus full of actors mimic from Greek mi

• cipher

  Etymology The word cipher comes from the Old French word chifre which in turn comes

• economy

  Etymology Oikos Greek house or household Nomos Greek law or management

• hoedown

  Etymology The word hoedown is derived from the phrase hoe down which referred to a p