In English grammar and literature, an Apostrophe is a figure of speech in which a speaker directly addresses an absent person, a dead person, an abstract concept, or an inanimate object as if it were present and capable of understanding. (Note: This is completely different from the punctuation mark [ ' ] used for possession).
The word 'Apostrophe' comes from the Greek word apostrophos, which means 'turning away.' In ancient Greek plays, an actor would literally turn away from the other actors on stage to address the gods, a dead hero, or empty space.
An Apostrophe occurs when a character or poet breaks off from their normal narrative to directly speak to something that cannot physically reply.
It is often introduced by the exclamation "O" or "Oh".
It is used to express intense emotion, highlight the importance of an object, or bring an abstract concept to life.
"O Death, where is thy sting? O Grave, where is thy victory?" (Bible / 1 Corinthians) — Addressing the abstract concepts of Death and the Grave.
"Twinkle, twinkle, little star, / How I wonder what you are." (Nursery Rhyme) — Addressing a star in the sky.
"O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?" (Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet) — Juliet is speaking to Romeo, who is physically absent (though hiding nearby secretly).
"Milton! thou shouldst be living at this hour." (Wordsworth) — Addressing the dead poet John Milton.
"Roll on, thou deep and dark blue Ocean—roll!" (Lord Byron) — Addressing the ocean.
Students often confuse these two, as they often occur together:
If you talk about the object, it's personification. If you talk to the object, it's an apostrophe.
Yes! In everyday life, when you talk to your car, your computer, or the weather ('Please don't rain today!'), you are using the apostrophe figure of speech.
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