Question

My next question is: The following sentence from Orpheus and Eurydice is an example of hyperbole: "Although he still played his lyre, he played only to melt the hearts of tigers, to move the mountains and the oak trees." What is the effect of this hyperbole?

A.)it illustrates Orpheus's love of music and nature.
B.)it shows the powerful nature of Orpheus' music
C.)it compares Orpheus's music to tigers, mountains, and oak trees.
D.)it explains why Orpheus does not play his music often.

Answer 1

B, it shows the powerful nature.

Answer 2

The effect of this hyperbole is B) it shows the powerful nature of Orpheus' music.

Hyperbole is a figure of speech that is used in many literary pieces. It consists in an exaggeration that is not meant to be taken literally. Moreover, it is used to create emphasis, or to produce what is known as a "larger-than-life effect". In this excerpt from Orpheus and Eurydice, the writer's aim is to exaggerate the effect that the music that Orpheus plays has on nature and to indicate that his music is very beautiful and powerful. Therefore, hyperbole has been used to show extravagance and to create a strong impression.