What is an encomium?
An expression of high praise or eulogy.
Encomium: Praising through Prose
An encomium is a form of writing meant to extol or pay tribute to a person, object, or idea.
It is often used in creative writing to celebrate a person, place, or thing, as well as to offer praise for a specific action or achievement. The encomium can be written in any genre, including poetry, prose, or drama.
What sets encomium apart from other forms of writing is its emphasis on admiration and adulation. Writers who compose encomiums use a variety of rhetorical techniques to create a powerful and persuasive argument for the object of their praise.
These techniques might include metaphors, allusions, and other literary devices that help the writer convey their admiration in a convincing way. Encomiums can be found in many different contexts, from political speeches to personal tributes, and are a powerful way to honor someone or something worthy of praise.
Encomium can be found in literature both old and new, used to convey a sense of admiration or praise to its audience. Here are two examples from different periods of literature:
A work of ancient Greek literature, Gorgias' 'Encomium of Helen,' discusses the mythical origins of the Trojan War and Helen's role in it, arguing that Helen was not to blame for the war but was in fact an admirable and virtuous woman.
In John Keats' poem 'Ode to a Nightingale,' the speaker reflects on the beauty and significance of the nightingale's song, offering a kind of encomium for the bird and the power of its music.