Definition and Examples of Epimone in Rhetoric

Epimone (pronounced eh-PIM-o-nee) is a  rhetorical term for the frequent repetition of a phrase or question; dwelling on a point. Also known as  perseverantia, leitmotif, and refrain.In Shakespeares Use of the Arts of Language (1947), Sister Miriam Joseph observes that  epimone is an effective figure in swaying the opinions of a crowd because of its insistent repetition of an idea in the same words. In his Arte of English Poesie (1589), George Puttenham called epimone the long repeat and the love burden. See Examples and Observations below. Also see: CommoratioEpizeuxisSemantic SatiationSymploce EtymologyFrom the Greek, tarrying, delay Examples All his brains are in the nape of his neck, Simon Dedalus says. Welts of flesh behind on him. Fat folds of neck, fat, neck, fat, neck.(James Joyce, Ulysses, 1922)Mr. Dick shook his head, as utterly renouncing the suggestion; and having replied a great many times, and with great confidence, No beggar, no beggar, no beggar, sir!(Charles Dickens, David Copperfield, 1850)We forget all too soon  the  things we thought we could never forget.  We forget  the  loves  and the  betrayals alike,  forget  what  we whispered  and what  we screamed,  forget  who  we were.(Joan Didion, Keeping a Notebook, 1968)Epimone in Shakespeares OthelloPut money in thy purse; follow thou the wars; defeat thy favor withan usurped beard; I say, put money in thy purse. Itcannot be that Desdemona should long continue herlove to the Moor--put money in thy purse--nor hehis to her: it was a violent commencement, and thoushalt see an answerable sequestration: put butmoney in thy purse.(Ia go in William Shakespeares Othello, Act 1, scene 3)Epimone in Shakespeares Julius CaesarWho is here so base that would be a bondman? If any, speak; for him I have offended. Who is here so rude that would not be a Roman? If any speak; for him have I offended.(Brutus in William Shakespeares Julius Caesar, Act 3, scene 2)Here, under leave of Brutus and the rest--For Brutus is an honourable man;So are they all, all honourable men--Come I to speak in Caesars funeral.He was my friend, faithful and just to me;But Brutus says he was ambitious;And Brutus is an honourable man.He hath brought many captives home to RomeWhose ransoms did the general coffers fill;Did this in Caesar seem ambitious?When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept:Ambition should be made of sterner stuff:Yet Brutus says he was ambitious;And Brutus is an honourable man.You all did see that on the LupercalI thrice presented him a kingly crown,Which he did thrice refuse. Was this ambition?Yet Brutus says he was ambitiou s;And, sure, he is an honourable man. . . .(Mark Antony in William Shakespeares Julius Caesar, Act 3, scene 2)Epimone as a FallacyThere is a figure of speech termed epimone . . . , the purpose of which is to render some word or thought ridiculous by its frequent repetition, and showing its grotesque character as an element of argument. But sometimes from the frequent repetition of a thought, is deduced one of the most subtle fallacies known to language. This fallacy is often resorted to by unscrupulous men during the excitement of political contests, when some idea or point is assumed without proof to the detriment and prejudice of a man or party; and though it may have no just foundation for support, yet is dwelt upon and commented on so frequently, that the ignorant assume that the charge must be true, else it would not receive so much consideration; they apply to the matter under consideration the old adage: That where there is so much smoke there must be some fire.(Daniel F. Mil ler, Rhetoric as an Art of Persuasion: From the Standpoint of a Lawyer. Mills, 1880)Calvinos EpimoneYou are about to begin reading Italo Calvinos new novel, If on a winters night a traveler. Relax. Concentrate. Dispel every other thought. Let the world around you fade. Best to close the door; the TV is always on in the next room. Tell the others right away, No, I dont want to watch TV! Raise your voice--they wont hear you otherwise--Im reading! I dont want to be disturbed! Maybe they havent heard you, with all that racket; speak louder, yell; Im beginning to read Italo Calvinos new novel! . . .Find the most comfortable position: seated, stretched out, curled up, or lying flat. Flat on your back, on your side, on your stomach. In an easy chair, on the sofa, in the rocker, the deck chair, on the hassock. In the hammock, if you have a hammock. On top of your bed, of course, or in the bed. You can even stand on your hands, head down, in the yoga position. With the book upside down, natu rally.Of course, the ideal position for reading is something you can never find. In the old days they used to read standing up, at a lectern. People were accustomed to standing on their feet, without moving. They rested like that when they were tired of horseback riding. Nobody ever thought of reading on horseback; and yet now, the idea of sitting in the saddle, the book propped against the horses mane, or maybe tied to the horses ear with a special harness, seems attractive to you.(Italo Calvino, If on a winters night a traveler, 1979/1981)