Polyptoton

Polyptoton is a figure of speech in which words with the same root but different endings are repeated for rhetorical effect. This can be done with nouns, adjectives, or verbs. For example, in Shakespeare’s play Julius Caesar, Mark Antony says, “Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears.” The repetition of the word “ears” is an example of polyptoton. Another example is the phrase “I am Sam, Sam I am” from Dr Seuss’s book Green Eggs and Ham. The repetition of the name “Sam” is an example of polyptoton. Polyptoton is often used to emphasize a particular word or phrase, and to create a memorable and rhythmic effect.