Of the Spectator Club : Literary devices
Of the Spectator Club is a notable literary work by Richard Steele. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of Of the Spectator Club.
Literary devices
Figures of Speech
Metaphor: Sir Roger is called “a baronet, of an ancient descent.” His family “invented the famous country-dance.” Here, Sir Roger’s family is compared to tradition itself.
Simile: Will Honeycomb talks about learning “as others do men.” He remembers fashion styles as other men remember people. This compares two different things using “as.”
Irony: Sir Andrew Freeport jokes, calling the sea “the British Common.” He means the sea is for every British trader, which is not really true. This is a playful use of irony.
Hyperbole: Sir Roger says his style has “been in and out twelve times” since he wore it. This is an exaggeration to show how much fashion changes over time.
Allusion: The essay starts with a line from Juvenal (a Roman poet). It also mentions famous people like Lord Rochester and Sir George Etherege, and known places like the Inner Temple and Soho Square
Symbol: The club itself is a symbol. It stands for all kinds of people in English society. Each member’s personality shows a part of the bigger world.
Personification: Sir Roger’s “good sense” and “humor” are talked about like they are people guiding his actions.