Hyperbole: Definition, Functions and Great Hyperbole Examples

Hyperbole Examples

Hyperbole Examples in Literature

Hyperbole is a common literary device used in various forms of creative writing to emphasize certain elements, emotions, and situations. Here are some notable examples:

• In Homer’s “Iliad”, hyperbole is used to describe the protagonist’s horses: “His horses are the finest and strongest that I have ever seen, they are whiter than snow and fleeter than any wind that blows.”
• Kurt Vonnegut frequently used hyperbole in his novels, such as “Slaughterhouse Five”, to create both dramatic and comedic effects.
• Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird” contains hyperbole to emphasize characters’ reactions: “I was expecting the sheriff with a search warrant for concealed valuables any minute.”
• William Shakespeare often incorporated hyperbole in his plays, like the famous line from “Romeo and Juliet”: “Why, then, O brawling love! O loving hate! O any thing, of nothing first create!”
• “We’re so hot, we will melt your popsicle.” This is a line from the song California Girls by Katy Perry.
• “I will fly to the moon and back.” This is an example of hyperbole taken from a song by the band Savage Garden.
• “One winter, since it was so cold, the geese all went backwards and I saw fish flying south.” This example of hyperbole is taken from Babe in the blue ox by Paul Bunyan.
• “My love, I will adore you until Africa and China meet.” This is an example of hyperbole being used in the text As I walked once evening by W H Auden.
• “I was to wait at the train station for ten days-it was an eternity.” In this case, hyperbole can be seen written by Joseph Conrad in The heart of darkness.
• In the poem Red, red rose written by Robert Burns, the author implies that he will love his partner until the seas dry up with the line “I will love you until the seas are dry.”
• “Please take a seat, because this man has produced nine million awards ceremonies.” This is an example of hyperbole being used in a speech delivered by Dick Clark as he accepted an award.
• “The captain was taking on anyone who could walk.” In this case, we see an example of hyperbole which was taken from a speech written by Larry Rayfield Wright.
• “Her facial skin was a drawn and tight as that of an onion.” We find this example of hyperbole in the book, Parker’s back written by Flannery O’Connor.
• “It was not simply a man which he was holding but rather giant, a huge block of stone.” This is an example of hyperbole taken from a text written by James Ramsey Ulman called Banner in the sky.

Hyperbole Examples in Speech

There are many instances in which hyperbole is used in day to day conversation, it is one of the most common forms of figures of speech and you are likely to hear it used regularly. Let’s now take a look at some examples of hyperbole in sentences.

• I have a hundred and one things to do today.
• This job is going to take me forever.
• I am never going to finish this meal.
• She has been at the shop for an eternity.
• I am stuck on a level which is impossible.
• I am never going to get this job done.
• That man is as old as time.
• This bag weighs ten tonnes.
• He has been talking for a week.
• When I was pregnant, I was as big as a house.
• He never diets and now he is as heavy as an elephant.
• I almost died of embarrassment.
• I laughed so much, I nearly died.
• I’ve seen this movie a million times.
• I’m so hungry that I could eat a horse.
• When I went jogging this morning, I worked so hard, I ran a thousand miles.
• I have a million problems that I need to solve.
• The man was as tall as a skyscraper.
• I haven’t seen my mother in and age and a day.
• I was dying to see the concert.
• Last summer was so hot that I was on fire.
• My husband is a bad driver, he drives everywhere are five hundred miles an hour.
• My sister has a brain the size of a pea.
• His heart is as cold as ice.
• His stare was as hard as a rock.
• The big cat runs faster than the wind.
• Today has been the worst day in history.
• My girlfriend has skin as soft as silk.
• I should not have done that, my mom is going to kill me.
• She is thin as a runner bean.
• I cooked enough food to feed an army.
• That dress cost me a billion dollars.
• He had a mile-wide smile.
• I’m so sad that I am drowning in my sorrows.
• My aunt is my guardian angel.
• I have told you no a thousand times before.
• His new sports car goes faster than the speed of light.
• He is as old as a dinosaur.
• I was so shocked that you could have knocked me over with a feather.
• He has an endless supply of money.

Hyperbole Examples in Movies

Hyperbole is also present in the film industry, as it can effectively convey extreme emotions and emphasize specific aspects of the characters’ situations. Examples of hyperbole in movies include:

• In “Forrest Gump”, the protagonist’s mother shares the oft-quoted line, “Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re gonna get.”
• “The Wolf of Wall Street” features exaggeration to depict the excessive lifestyle of the main character: “I buy cars like most people buy toothpaste.”
• “The Great Gatsby” uses hyperbolic language to emphasize the extravagant nature of the parties held by the titular character: “On weekends, his Rolls-Royce became an omnibus, bearing parties to and from the city between nine in the morning and long past midnight.”

Hyperbole Examples in Songs

Music also incorporates hyperbole to evoke vivid emotions and paint clear pictures. Here are some examples from popular songs:

• In Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You”, the hyperbolic line “I will always love you” is meant to emphasize the depth of her undying love.
• The Beatles’ “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” features imaginative hyperbole, such as “Picture yourself in a boat on a river, with tangerine trees and marmalade skies.”
• Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” uses hyperbole to enhance the emotional intensity of the song: “Mama, just killed a man, put a gun against his head, pulled my trigger, now he’s dead.”

Utilizing hyperbole in literature, movies, and songs creates a powerful effect, emphasizing emotions and particular aspects of the story or message. It is an integral tool for creative writing, used skillfully by authors, filmmakers, and songwriters alike.

Comparison with Other Literary Devices

Metaphors

Metaphors are a type of figurative language in which one thing is compared to another in order to create a more vivid and imaginative image in the reader’s mind. In a metaphor, this comparison is direct and often uses the verb “to be.” For example, one might say “time is a thief” to express how quickly time seems to pass. Both metaphors and hyperboles aim to enhance the reader’s understanding and experience of a concept, but metaphors do so through the use of comparison while hyperboles use exaggeration.

Similes

Similar to metaphors, similes also compare two seemingly unrelated things to create a powerful image or idea. However, similes use the words “like” or “as” to indicate the comparison, making them more explicit than metaphors. An example of a simile would be “she is as strong as an ox.” While similes and hyperboles can both be used to enhance descriptions, similes involve a direct comparison between two things, whereas hyperboles use extreme exaggeration to make a point.

Irony

Irony is another literary device that differs from hyperbole. There are various forms of irony, but they all involve a discrepancy between appearance and reality, or a contrast between what is expected and what actually occurs. For example, verbal irony occurs when a speaker says one thing but means the opposite, often for humorous or sarcastic effect. Hyperbole, on the other hand, does not rely on this type of contrast or discrepancy but rather on the intentional exaggeration of a statement or idea.

In summary, while hyperbole shares some similarities with other literary devices such as metaphors and similes, they each serve unique purposes within the context of writing. Hyperbole uses exaggeration to emphasize a point, while metaphor and simile make comparisons to create vivid imagery for the reader. Irony, with its focus on contrasting appearance and reality, presents yet another approach to enhance the reader’s experience in different ways.

Functions of Hyperbole

Creating Humor

Hyperbole can be an effective tool in creating humor within a piece of writing. By using exaggerated statements, the writer is able to present situations or ideas in a comical and light-hearted manner. This can effectively engage the reader, making the text more enjoyable, relatable, and memorable. For example, a writer may describe a character as being “so hungry, they could eat a horse,” painting an amusing picture in the reader’s mind that brings a smile to their face.

Emphasizing Feelings and Sentiments

A writer can effectively use hyperbole to emphasize the feelings and sentiments in their work. Exaggerated expressions can better convey the intensity of emotions, making the reader truly understand the depth of the character’s feelings. For instance, a protagonist might have a “heart that swelled with so much love, it could burst.” By using hyperbole, the author is able to communicate the overwhelming nature of the character’s emotions in a way that resonates with readers.

Drawing Attention

Hyperbole can be utilized to draw attention to a specific point in a piece of writing. By using an exaggerated statement or image, the writer is able to capture the reader’s attention and emphasize the importance of the subject at hand. This can be particularly useful in persuasive writing, where the aim is to convince readers of a particular perspective. For example, an author might write, “The city was so polluted, the birds coughed instead of singing.” This hyperbolic statement not only illustrates the severity of the pollution problem but also grabs the reader’s attention, driving home the need for action.