Last Updated on March 23, 2022
What is Apostrophe? To help you understand what this literary device is and how it is used, this article provides detailed guidance on definitions and examples of Apostrophe, and how it can be used in a sentence.
Table of Contents
Definition of Apostrophe
As a literary device, an apostrophe is a poetic phrase or speech made by a character that is addressed to a subject that is not literally present in the literary work. The subject may be dead, absent, an inanimate object, or even an abstract idea. A literary apostrophe is designed to direct a reader or audience member’s attention to the entity being addressed as a means of indicating its importance or significance. In addition, apostrophe is also utilized as a way for a character to express their internal thoughts and feelings to someone or something that is not able to respond.
For example, in John Donne’s poem “Death, be not proud,” the poet addresses Death as if it is a living, present person:
Death, be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadful, for thou are not so;
By using apostrophe, the poet is able to share their thoughts and feelings about death as an abstract idea by “speaking” to Death as if it could hear or understand. In turn, this literary device also allows the poet to share their innermost emotions and ideas about death with the reader to create a greater impact.
Common Examples of Apostrophe in Everyday Speech
When we “speak” to something that is inanimate, abstract, or absent, we are using apostrophe. People may do this internally or by speaking aloud. Here are some common examples of apostrophe in everyday speech:
- Love, who needs you?
- Come on phone, give me a ring!
- Chocolate, why must you be so delicious?
- Alarm clock, please don’t fail me.
- Seven, you are my lucky number!
- Thank you, my guardian angel, for this parking space!
- Heaven help us.
Examples of Apostrophe in Song Lyrics
Apostrophe is often utilized in song lyrics as a means of addressing something that is inanimate or an abstract idea. This adds to a song’s entertainment value and meaning for the listener. Here are some examples of apostrophe in well-known song lyrics:
- Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star / How I wonder what you are
- O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree / How lovely are thy branches
- Hey, hey, set me free / Stupid Cupid stop picking on me
- It’s up to you / New York, New York
- Little Red Corvette / You need a love that’s gonna last
- Hello darkness, my old friend / I’ve come to talk with you again
- Don’t tell my heart, my achy breaky heart / I just don’t think he’d understand
- Oh Charles, Prince Charles, can you hear my heart break / Can you hear me telling you, marrying her is a big mistake
- Well, the big black horse said “Look this way”
He said, “Hey lady, will you marry me?”
But I said “No, no, no, no, no, no”
I said “No, no, you’re not the one for me” - Blue Moon, you saw me standing alone / without a dream in my heart, without a love of my own
Examples of Apostrophe in Shakespeare
William Shakespeare utilized apostrophe in many of his plays as a device to allow characters to convey their emotions and/or internal viewpoints. By allowing the speaker to express their thoughts and feelings to an absent or inanimate “third party,” the audience becomes more aware of the character’s motivations and personal truth. Here are some examples of apostrophe in Shakespeare’s literary works:
- “O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?” (Romeo and Juliet)–Juliet addresses an “absent” Romeo, unaware that he is nearby.
- “Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio: a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy” (Hamlet)–Hamlet addresses the skull of Yorick, former jester to the king, which has been unearthed by gravediggers.
- “Ingratitude, thou marble-hearted fiend, more hideous when thou show’st thee in a child than the sea-monster!” (King Lear)–King Lear addresses the abstract idea of ingratitude as it is displayed, in his mind, by his daughter Goneril.
- “Is this a dagger which I see before me, the handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee. I have thee not, and yet I see thee still.” (Macbeth)–Macbeth addresses a dagger that he envisions is in front of him, but it is not actually there.
Difference Between Apostrophe as Literary Device and Punctuation
Most people have heard of apostrophe in terms of punctuation. As a punctuation mark, an apostrophe indicates possession (the student’s book) or an intentional omission of letters or numbers (they’re studying). Though it may appear that apostrophe as punctuation is entirely different from apostrophe as a literary device, there is a similar foundation to their functions. A literary apostrophe is used by writers to allow a character or speaker to address an absent entity as if it/they were present. Like the punctuation mark, apostrophe in literature is therefore related to an intentional omission. Rather than the omission of letters or numbers, a literary apostrophe refers to an intentional absence of a subject being addressed, thereby calling attention to what is not there.
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