prosopopoeia
UK[ˌprɒsəpəˈpiːə]US[ˌprɑːsəpəˈpiːə]
n
a figure of speech in which an absent, dead, or imaginary person is represented as speaking or acting.
n
the representation of an abstract quality or idea in human form; personification.
Morpheme Breakdown
prosop
o
poeia
prosop
face
o
connective
poeia
making
Etymology
the term prosopopoeia is a direct borrowing from latin, which itself adopted it from the greek 'prosōpopoiia', meaning 'the making of a face or person'. it is constructed from the greek elements 'prosōpon' (face, person, character) and 'poiein' (to make). originally a rhetorical device in classical oratory and drama, it literally meant to invent and put words into the mouth of a character, thereby 'making a persona' speak. over time, its application broadened from strictly creating a speaking character to encompass the broader literary and rhetorical technique of giving voice or human form to anything absent or non-human, solidifying its modern meaning as a specific type of personification.
Analysis
Structure: prosop (face) + o (connective) + poeia (making)
prosop: from greek 'prosōpon', meaning face, person, or dramatic character. in this word, it functions as the root indicating the 'person' or 'character' being represented.
o: a connective vowel (interfix) used to join greek roots.
poeia: from greek 'poiēsis', meaning a making, creation, or composition. it functions as a noun-forming suffix indicating the act of making or creating.
Examples
the poet's use of prosopopoeia allowed the ancient ruins to lament their own decay.
in his speech, the senator employed prosopopoeia by having the concept of justice address the assembly.
the novel is notable for its prosopopoeia of death, depicted as a weary traveler.