What is a polyptoton? Definition and examples

What is polyptoton?

Polyptoton is the repeating of words derived from the same root. For example, hurried and hurrying derive from the same root word of hurry.

Examples of polyptoton

• Strong and strength

• Blood and bleed

• Enjoy and enjoyable

• Fierce and fierceness

Polyptoton in literature

Sonnet 116

Would this really be an article about literary devices if I didn't include a Shakespeare quote? Sonnet 116 is a great example of a polyptoton.

“Let me not to the marriage of true minds

Admit impediments. Love is not love

Which alters when it alteration finds

Or bends with the remover to remove.”

Here Shakespeare uses the verb alter and the noun alteration. He does the same with remover, a noun, and the verb form, remove.

Les Misérables

The musical Les Misérables contains perhaps the most famous example of a polyptoton with the song "I Dreamed a Dream".

Interestingly, the original French version from 1980 did not feature a polyptoton!

How to use polyptoton in fiction writing

Polyptoton can be powerful because draws attention to the root words by creating repetition through rhythm and sound. In turn, this amplifies the meaning of these words and allows your reader to dwell on them for longer. If you're looking for a way to give a particular sentence in your novel or speech, such as a big reveal or emotional vulnerability, more "oomph", then a polyptoton might be the answer!

While polyptotons typically occur in the same sentence, they can occur over wider paragraphs as well if you'd like a polyptoton which is more subtle.

Conclusion

A polyptoton is the repetition of words derived from the same root, such as watch and watchmen. A polyptoton emphasises the repeated words and can be used to draw your reader's attention to a particular theme or concept in your novel.