Apostrophe as Figure of Speech: Meaning, Examples, Preparation Tips, Exercises with Answers

Students can consider the following books to study Apostrophe in Figure of Speech for better clarity and understanding of the topic:

 These books clarify the meaning and usage of apostrophe as a literary device including apostrophe in its overview of figures of speech, with examples from famous works.

Also Read: Prepositions Rules and Structure

Here are few examples of Apostrophe as a Figure of Speech, for better understanding about its meaning and usage:

Examples of Apostrophe in Literature 

Apostrophe is found throughout literature in the form of poetry, prose, and drama, and across all eras from ancient Greek epic poetry through modern times.

Apostrophe in The Odyssey 

One of the earliest and most famous examples of apostrophe in literature comes from Homer, who begins both The Iliad and The Odyssey with an invocation of the Muse. The Odyssey begins with the following lines, which ask the Muse, a goddess of the arts, to help the author in his work:

Sing in me, Muse, and through me tell the story

of that man skilled in all ways of contending,

the wanderer, harried for years on end,

after he plundered the stronghold

on the proud height of Troy.

Apostrophe in Shakespeare's Macbeth

Apostrophe is a major part of Shakespeare, as his characters often address abstract ideas or inanimate objects while onstage. In Macbeth, while Macbeth is struggling with whether to follow through with a planned murder, he sees an apparition of a dagger and addresses it:

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.

Art thou not, fatal vision, sensible

To feeling as to sight?

William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet: "O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo?"

Juliet addresses Romeo, even though he is not present, to express her frustration and longing.

Apostrophe in Keats' "Ode on a Grecian Urn" 

The works of Romantic poets of the nineteenth century, who were steeped in Greek poetry and myth, are also filled with apostrophe. Several of John Keats' odes, in particular, address their subjects directly. In "Ode on a Grecian Urn," Keats speaks to a beautiful ancient vase, addressing it as a bride, a child, and a historian, and also as a kind of Muse, who, if it could speak, would write more eloquently than Keats himself:

Thou still unravish'd bride of quietness,

Thou foster-child of silence and slow time,

Sylvan historian, who canst thus express

A flowery tale more sweetly than our rhyme

Examples of Apostrophe in Songs 

Many different genres of music make use of apostrophe, as it creates a direct emotional attachment between the singer and his or her subject.

Apostrophe in "Do You Remember Walter?" by the Kinks 

Here are the Kinks, a pop band, singing to an old friend:

Walter, remember when the world was young and all the girls knew Walter's name?

Walter, isn't it a shame the way our little world has changed.

Do you remember Walter playing cricket in the thunder and the rain?

Do you remember Walter smoking cigarettes behind your garden gate?

Yes, Walter was my mate.

But Walter, my old friend, where are you now?

Apostrophe in "I'll Be Missing You" by Puffy

Here is the rapper Sean Combs, known as Puffy, in "I'll Be Missing You," an elegy for his friend Biggie Smalls:

I saw your son today, he look just like you

You was the greatest, you'll always be the greatest

I miss you B.I.G

Can't wait til that day, when I see your face again

Examples of Apostrophe in Movies, TV Shows, and Nursery Rhymes 

The Lion King" (1994) 

Quote: "Remember who you are."

Explanation: Mufasa's spirit addresses Simba directly, even though he is not physically present, urging him to remember his identity and responsibilities.

Friends (Season 4) 

Quote: "Oh, the joys of having children."

Explanation: Ross sarcastically addresses the idea of parenthood, personifying it to express his frustration.

"Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" 

Quote: "Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are."

Explanation: The speaker addresses the star directly, marveling at its brilliance.

"Baa Baa Black Sheep" 

Quote: "Baa baa black sheep, have you any wool?"

Explanation: The speaker directly addresses the sheep, asking it about its wool.

Also Read: English Synonyms : Meaning and Exceptions

Check out some engaging exercises on Aprostrophe and find their answers below:

Exercise 1 

Q 1: Which of the following sentences correctly uses the apostrophe figure of speech?

1. a) "Oh, Time, you swift and relentless force."
2. b) "She walked into the room silently."
3. c) "The sun sets in the west."
4. d) "Water is essential for life."

Q2: Identify the apostrophe in the following sentence: "O Death, where is thy sting?"

1. a) Death
2. b) Sting
3. c) Where
4. d) Thy

Q3: Which of the following lines from a poem is an example of apostrophe?

1. a) "The woods are lovely, dark, and deep."
2. b) "Twinkle, twinkle, little star."
3. c) "She sells seashells by the seashore."
4. d) "To be or not to be, that is the question."

Q4: Which sentence is NOT an example of apostrophe?

1. a) "O Freedom, how we cherish thee."
2. b) "Come, let us reason together."
3. c) "You foolish heart, why do you falter?"
4. d) "The stars shine brightly tonight."

Q5: Which is the right apostrophe sentence?

1. a) “Baba Baba black sheep, you have the wool”
2. b) “Twinkle Twinkle big star”
3. c) "Hey diddle diddle, the cat and the fiddle"
4. d) "The stars shine brightly today."

Answers:

1. A
2. A
3. B
4. D
5. c

Exercise 2

Q1: Which of the lines contain Apostrophe?

a. "Bright star, would I were steadfast as thou art."

b. "The gentle breeze cooled the evening air."

c. "The wind was howling louder than before."

d. "The storm raged through the valley."

Q2: Which of the lines contain Apostrophe?

a. "O Wind, if winter comes, can spring be far behind?"

b. "The wind was howling through the trees."

c. "The winter brought heavy snow."

d. "He asked if spring was around the corner."

Q3: Which of the lines contain Apostrophe?

a. "The sky is blue and clear today."

b. "Bright star, would I were steadfast as thou art."

c. "The river flows gently through the valley."

d. "He walked silently along the path."

Q4: Which of the lines contain Apostrophe?

a. "The moonlight bathed the valley below."

b. "He gazed at the full moon with wonder."

c. "Oh, Moon, how you light up the night sky!"

d. "The moon rose above the hills."

Q5: Which of the lines contain Apostrophe?

a. "He looked at his watch to check the time."

b. "Time, you thief, who loves to get the best of us."

c. "Time passed slowly that day."

d. "The clock struck midnight as they spoke."

Answers: 

1. a

2. a

3. b 

4. c

5. b

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Students can have a look at some of the FAQs on Apostrophe in English grammar.