Explain the concept of personification and provide an example from a famous literary work.

Explain the concept of personification and provide an example from a famous literary work.

Personification is a literary device where human qualities or characteristics are attributed to non-human objects or abstract ideas. It is used to bring life and vividness to the description or portrayal of these non-human entities.

An example of personification can be found in William Shakespeare's play "Macbeth." In Act 2, Scene 1, Macbeth says, "Is this a dagger which I see before me, the handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee!" Here, the dagger is personified as if it has a will of its own, being able to guide Macbeth towards his murderous intentions.