Epithet - in Greek, "attach", "add." It can be a single word, their combination or the whole expression. The answer to the question of what epithet is in the literature lies on the surface. This word is used to give colorful saturation or an additional semantic connotation to phrases and sentences. It is often used in poetry, since the poetic form of expression requires grace. However, prose writers often use the epithet as a reliable tool to give their works artistic appeal. In most cases, it is used in the form of an adjective or adverb. An organic combination of epithets with surrounding words can turn a simple narrative into a work of literary art.
What is the epithet in literature? Opinions of scholars-philologists regarding its affiliation, places in the language space are ambiguous. Some believe that epitheton ornans are purely aesthetic in nature and are used for decoration. Others believe that their significance is much broader. Their use allows you to radically change the semantic orientation of the text, for example, add drama. Separate
epithet words, examples of which are found in any literary work, can be logically arranged or arranged randomly. There are among writers and proponents of verbal balancing. Their epithets are used in an unreasonable amount. In this case, profanation of the
literary device as such occurs.
Russian writer Vladimir Soloukhin gave his answer to the question of what is the epithet in literature. He described him as "clothing of the word." You can’t say better than just clothes, whether they are simply elegant, or festive, adorn both people and words. And how beautiful it will be depends on the tailors and on the masters of literary art. A poorly dressed man does not attract attention; people pass by him without turning around. Another thing - a camisole embroidered with gold threads - you can’t take your eyes off, I want to touch warm velvet, touch the poses. The same thing with words: we read and reread ornate,
figurative expressions, we try to understand the depth of the author’s thoughts. And he takes him farther and farther.
Epithets can be direct and indirect. "Slender birch" - here the epithet is not present. If you say "stately birch", he already is. Why? In the first case, the adjective "slim" is not surprising, ordinary. The tree is straight and slender. But the phrase "stately birch" brings a definition of the nature of a noble plant. We present pride as a feature of his character. Hence the stately posture, hence the stately birch. The tree has become animated, and we are ready to talk with him, to communicate. And this magic happened because an epithet was applied. Examples from the literature which can be continued. If it says "babbling stream", there is no epithet, "sobbing stream" - it is there. “Pink dawn” - without signs of an epithet, “a flaming glow of dawn” - it is. "Golden Woman" - a woman with a wonderful character, he is again present.
There is an expression "... and led under the white little hands ...". It is clear that the little hands are not white, most likely, these were the rough hands of a hooligan, who was guided by law enforcement officers. However, the immutable imagery of the narrative paints a propitious picture of an almost sacred action. The main purpose of this word is realized - to decorate, ennoble, give charm. So, what is the epithet in the literature, it is clear. He gives birth to a literary masterpiece.