Russian graphic means of expression to which carry tracks and figures help to decorate the poetic and prosaic speech. Using language of symbols, ladders, poets create the special, poetic diction. One of means allowing to create the beautiful text is the epithet.
The epithet is the metaphor acting as definition which transfers properties of one subject or the phenomenon to another. It is possible to give the following phrases as examples of epithets: gentle wind, disgusting day, heart of stone.
Alexander Veselovsky became the founder of the doctrine about epithets. In literature still there is no established view of the nature of epithets: some scientists carry epithets to figures of speech, others — to tracks. Also some literary critics consider that epithets are elements only of the poetic speech, others — find them in prose.
In literary criticism allocates several types of epithets: graphic and lyrical.
Types of epithets
Graphic epithets transfer the properties or qualities perceived by sense organs (for example: dark day, bitter laughter).
Lyrical epithets fix the properties transferring emotions and various moods (for example: large garden, gentle wind).
So, on the basis of prevalence in the text of any given type of epithets it is possible to draw a conclusion that the author perceives the world in himself (at domination of lyrical epithets) or the world out of himself (at domination of graphic epithets).
Also during the determining and characteristic of epithets it is necessary to consider such concept as constant epithets which are generally peculiar to folklore works (for example: the maiden, the kind good fellow is red). Constant epithets in a certain way grow to a word and closely are connected with it.
Epithets can be expressed by any part of speech (a noun — fun noise, heart pain; — it is hot to love an adverb; a verb — desire to be forgotten, etc.).