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Hyperbole
Definition of Imagery
Imagery, in any sort of writing, refers to descriptive language that engages the human senses. For instance, the following lines from Robert Frost's poem "After Apple-Picking" contain imagery that engages... read full definition
Imagery, in any sort of writing, refers to descriptive language that engages the human senses. For instance, the following lines from Robert Frost's poem "After... read full definition
Imagery, in any sort of writing, refers to descriptive language that engages the human senses. For instance, the following lines... read full definition
Book 7
Explanation and Analysis—Fair Hands:
In Volume 1, Book 7, Chapter 1, Sir Gareth anonymously shows up at the Pentecost feast, and Sir Kay nicknames him "Beaumains" (Fair Hands) based on his fair complexion and large, pale hands. The image of Beaumains showing up in the hall offers an insight into who he really is:
Right so came into the hall two men well beseen and richly, and upon their shoulders there leaned the goodliest young man and the fairest that ever they all saw, and he was large and long and broad in the shoulders, and well visaged, and the fairest and the largest handed that ever man saw, but he fared as though he might not go nor bear himself but if he leaned upon their shoulders.
Related Themes:
Book 15
Explanation and Analysis—White and Black:
In Volume 2, Book 15, Chapter 4, Launcelot enters a battle and accidentally fights against the wrong side. The narrator uses color imagery to signal the fact that this is a test:
Unlock with LitCharts A+[A]s he looked afore him he saw a fair plain, and beside that a fair castle, and afore the castle were many pavilions of silk and of diverse hue. And him seemed that he saw there five hundred knights riding on horseback; and there were two parties: they that were of the castle were all on black horses and their trappers black, and they that were without were all on white horses and trappers, and every each hurtled to other that it marvelled Sir Launcelot. And at the last him thought they of the castle were put to the worse.
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Book 16
Explanation and Analysis—Rotten Wood and Flowers:
During the quest for the Sangreal, Sir Bors has many mysterious dream-visions that are full of vibrant imagery he struggles to interpret. One example is in Volume 2, Book 16, Chapter 8:
Unlock with LitCharts A+[H]e came to a great place which seemed a chapel, and there he found a chair set on the left side, which was wormeaten and feeble. And on the right hand were two flowers like a lily, and the one would have benome the others whiteness, but a good man departed them that the one touched not the other; and then out of every each flower came out many flowers, and fruit great plenty. Then him thought the good man said; ‘Should not he do great folly that would let these two flowers perish for to succour the rotten tree, that it fell not to the earth?’
Related Themes:
