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Paradox
Definition of Personification
Personification is a type of figurative language in which non-human things are described as having human attributes, as in the sentence, "The rain poured down on the wedding guests, indifferent... read full definition
Personification is a type of figurative language in which non-human things are described as having human attributes, as in the sentence, "The rain poured down... read full definition
Personification is a type of figurative language in which non-human things are described as having human attributes, as in the... read full definition
Act 1, Scene 1
Explanation and Analysis—Nature:
Duke Vincentio uses a common Renaissance allegory, personifying the concept of “nature” as a powerful goddess:
Spirits are not finely touch'd
But to fine issues, nor Nature never lends
The smallest scruple of her excellence
But, like a thrifty goddess, she determines
Herself the glory of a creditor,
Both thanks and use
Act 1, Scene 2
Explanation and Analysis—Demigod Authority :
After being imprisoned and sentenced to death by the strict Angelo for impregnating a woman to whom he is not yet married, Claudio personifies the concept of “Authority” as a harsh, godlike figure that rules tyrannically over men:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Thus can the demigod Authority
Make us pay down for our offense, by weight,
The words of heaven: on whom it will, it will;
On whom it will not, so; yet still ’tis just.
Related Themes:
Act 3, Scene 1
Explanation and Analysis—Death's Fool:
The Duke uses a common Renaissance allegory for death in a speech to Claudio, who has been sentenced to death for having a child out of wedlock with Juliet:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Merely, thou art death’s fool,
For him thou labor’st by thy flight to shun,
And yet runn’st toward him still. Thou art not noble,
For all th’ accommodations that thou bear’st
Are nursed by baseness. Thou ’rt by no means
valiant,
For thou dost fear the soft and tender fork
Of a poor worm. Thy best of rest is sleep,
And that thou oft provok’st
Act 3, Scene 2
Explanation and Analysis—Two Usuries:
Pompey, a “bawd” or pimp working for Mistress Overdone, satirically personifies two professions: prostitution and money-lending, referred to in early modern England as “usury”:
Unlock with LitCharts A+’Twas never merry world since, of two usuries,
the merriest was put down, and the worser allowed
by order of law a furred gown to keep him warm,
and furred with fox and lambskins too, to signify
that craft, being richer than innocency, stands for
the facing.
