Friday, September 10, 2010

The Friday Figure

Isocolon is an elegant figure in which multiple clauses have the same number of syllables. This figure creates a rhythm in speech and is highly pleasant to the ear.

Here is an example from Simeon's proclamation about the birth of Jesus:

Phos eis apokalupsin ethnon
Kai doxan laou sou israel
Luke 2:32
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.
In Greek each clause has exactly 9 syllables.

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