The Art of Embellishment: An Introduction to Rhetorical Devices (Badīʿ)

“A single word, struck or arranged just so, can turn mere prose into music.”

In classical Persian and Arabic eloquence, badīʿ (بدیع)—literally “embellishment”—refers to a rich toolkit of rhetorical devices used to adorn speech and verse. From playful puns to lush metaphors, badīʿ not only delights the ear but deepens meaning and stirs the imagination. Below, we explore its principal categories, key figures, and shining examples.

1. Why Badīʿ Matters

• Aesthetic Pleasure: Embellishment elevates ordinary language into art, engaging readers and listeners.

• Mnemonic Aid: Devices like repetition and rhyme make verses easier to remember.

• Emotional Resonance: A well-placed metaphor or pun can evoke surprise, humor, or awe, amplifying the speaker’s intent.

• Intellectual Engagement: Clever wordplay challenges the audience to uncover hidden layers of meaning.

2. Three Pillars of Embellishment

Classical rhetoricians (e.g., Ibn Farhūn, Al-Qazwīnī al-Badīʿī) organize badīʿ into three broad types:

3. Spotlight on Key Devices

3.1 Badīʿ al-Kalām

• Tajnīs (تجنيس): Punning through similar-sounding words with different meanings.

  “He drank from the cup; his heart was filled, not his cup.”

• Jinās (جناس): A subtler homonymic play, often within a single line.

• Iltifāt (انقلاب): A sudden shift in person, number, or style …