Define hyperbole and give an example from a poem or a novel.

Define hyperbole and give an example from a poem or a novel.

Hyperbole is a literary device that involves exaggeration for emphasis or dramatic effect. It is used to create a vivid and exaggerated image in the reader's mind.

An example of hyperbole can be found in the poem "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe. In this poem, the narrator describes his sorrow and grief over the loss of his beloved Lenore. He says, "And the silken, sad, uncertain rustling of each purple curtain / Thrilled me—filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before." Here, the use of hyperbole is evident as the narrator exaggerates the impact of the rustling curtains, describing them as causing "fantastic terrors never felt before." This exaggeration intensifies the emotions and adds a sense of drama to the poem.