Definition:
Hyperbaton is a figure in which there is an inversion of the regular grammatical order of words in a sentence for the purpose of emphasizing an idea or fact. Hyperbaton is also called Inversion.
Thus, the sentence, ‘I have seen much’, may be inverted in this way, ‘Much have I seen’ to make this more emphatic. The usual order is inverted here for the sake of emphasis.
Features:
The essential features of this figure are :
(i) There is an inversion of the regular grammatical order of words.
(ii) The purpose is to emphasize.
Examples:
A few examples of this figure are given below:
1. Out of suffering comes success.
This is an example of Hyperbaton. Here the usual order of words, ‘Success comes out of suffering’ is inverted for the purpose of emphasis.
2. Much have I travell’d in the realms of gold. -Keats
This is a hyperbaton. In this case, the regular grammatical order of words I have travelled much in the realms of gold.’-is inverted, and the purpose is to secure emphasis.
3. Our literature he was incapable of enjoying or of understanding. -Macaulay
Here the usual order of words ‘He was incapable of enjoying or of understanding our literature’ is inverted. This is also an example of Hyperbaton.
4. Most blameless is he.
In this case ‘He is most blameless’, is inverted for the purpose of emphasizing this idea.
Also read; Discuss the figure of speech Hendiadys: definition, features and examples