Polysyndeton

The word polysyndeton, in rhetoric, is used to refer to a literary figure that consists of the repeated use of a conjunction in order to give greater expressive force to a text. This specific rhetorical figure is characterized by the fact that it can use more conjunctions than those normally used in discourse.

Related topics

Anacoluthon, anadiplosis, cataphora, metalepsis

What is a polysyndeton?

The polysyndeton is a rhetorical figure that consists of the repetition of the same conjunction within a sentence to achieve greater strength to the expression, especially if what joins are total or partial synonyms, becoming a pleonasm.

It is important to remember that conjunctions are words used to link words, syntagma, or propositions in an enumeration. They are then, examples of conjunctions and, neither, well, that, but, if not, because, among others. In common language, conjunctions are mainly used to link the last two elements.

Etymology

The word polysyndeton is a term that comes from the Latin polysyndeton, which in turn comes from the Greek πολυσύνδετον (polysýndeton).

Characteristics of polysyndeton

The most important characteristics of the polysyndeton are the following:

• It can be found in poetry as well as in narrative, and we can also find it in contemporary song lyrics.
• When you use it, you are linking propositions or terms through a larger number of conjunctions.
• It gives the expression a structure that may be uncomfortable for some people because it is very repetitive.
• In other contexts, which are not poetic, the polysyndeton could be understood as an error or as an erroneous way of expressing oneself.
• It is capable of producing very varied effects so it can give solemnity or gravity to the speech, as well as giving a sense of calm or otherwise can give a sense of rapture.
• It is also known by the name of conjunction, dittology or Syndesis.
• It can become monotonous and should be used with caution.
• It belongs to the group of figures of diction.

Uses of polysyndeton

The uses given to the polysyndeton are the following: It is used to link propositions or terms through a higher number of conjunctions than would normally be correct.

The polysyndeton can also be used in very specific cases, this is because its structure can be a little uncomfortable, for example, when the author of poetry wants to give more value to his text or when he wants to highlight a specific emotion or thought. It is commonly used in the lyrics of songs we hear today to emphasize a feeling.

We can then say that the polysyndeton has the function of reducing the rhythm in order to emphasize the words that have been exposed and to provide greater intensity to the expression. It can also produce very varied effects such as sensations of solemnity, calmness, gravity or overflowing feelings among others.

Examples

Some examples that illustrate the polysyndeton are the following

• I knew the truth and then I stopped believing, and I stopped smiling, and I stopped rejoicing, and I stopped living my life fully, and I stopped understanding, and I stopped loving you.
• I don’t know what’s going on, I don’t really care, I don’t want more information, and I won’t seek your approval.
• And I began to see the people around me, and to feel the wind in my skin, and to hear the birds sing, and to see the trees green.
• He felt it in the sand and the waves, and in the foam and the salt and the horizon.
• I want to kiss the earth until I find you and kiss you the noble skull and ungag you and
• The higher I came from this upward journey, the lower and surrendered and downcast I found myself.
• And then he erases walls and windows, mornings and mornings and mornings: he erases everything with his blurred voice.
• The meadow and valley and grotto and river and fountain respond to his saddened song.