A hyperbole is an exaggeration that increases or decreases the veracity of what is expressed.
From the Latin hyperbole , although with more distant antecedents in a Greek concept, the term hyperbole refers to the rhetorical figure that excessively increases or reduces the topic being talked about . The notion is also used to name the excessive amplification of a story, an event or an event .
Hyperbole is, therefore, an exaggeration that increases or decreases the veracity of what is said. This causes the recipient of the message to direct their attention to the content of the action, and not so much to its qualities. This, of course, is done on purpose to generate a greater impact on the interlocutor. Hyperbole is generally used as a comic device, although it is also commonly used to denote despair.
Types of hyperbole
There are different types of hyperbole. Some are simple and used in everyday language , such as “I rang your doorbell a thousand times and you never opened the door” (when someone tries to illustrate that they knocked on the door of someone else's house many times, where a thousand is an exaggeration). or “Thank you a million for your help.”
Just like metaphor , hyperbole is widely used in literature to highlight qualities or feelings, adding a value of intensity and passion to words, so that they have a more significant impact on the reader. It is curious that artists are people in special contact with their sensitivity, capable of being amazed at small things, imperceptible to many, and that when expressing these feelings they evoke infinity, greatness, divinity, life and death. Let's see below some examples in lyric and narrative:
* The Spaniard Miguel Hernández used this resource to express that he felt so much pain that even his breath hurt. He also assured that there was a greater extension than his wound.
* Francisco de Quevedo ha convertido el caudal de sus lágrimas en el agua de los ríos que cruzan las dos Castillas, capaces de provocar inundaciones.
* Gabriel Garcia Marquez dio a un dictador el poder de alterar el paso del tiempo.
* Quintin Cabrera declaró no necesitar sus ojos para mirar a su amada.
Hyperbole appears in theater and other branches of art.
The concept in society
Having cited examples of the use of hyperbole in everyday life, it is necessary to clarify that it is not common throughout the world. Although we cannot generalize the character of the people of a certain region, much less of an entire country, culturally the exaggerated and melodramatic personality is associated especially with Italy, but also with other Western countries, such as Spain, Argentina and the United States. , the latter to a lesser extent and mainly in colonies of European origin. In the same way, it is said that in Germany sarcasm is not widely used and there are people who do not understand phrases with double intentions.
One possible reason for these peculiarities is the influence of music and theater . If we think that Italy is the cradle of opera, one of the most complete art forms that offer a greater range of sensations to its audience, we quickly understand that the roots of its people are impregnated with that effusive character and the need to magnify the things.
Uses derived from the notion of hyperbole
On the other hand, hype is called (from the English hyperbole ) a cultural work that has great coverage in the media or that has a lot of publicity, two situations that give it significance regardless of its artistic merits.
In the field of fashion , finally, a hype is a product that sets a trend and arouses great interest on the part of consumers, which is why all companies would like to have it.