Personification

That rhetorical figure which attributes sex, life, or action to inanimate objects, or ascribes to objects and brutes the acts and qualities of rational beings, is called personification or prosopopœia . "The mountains sing together , the hills rejoice and clap their hands ." "The worm, aware of his intent, harangued him thus." "See, Winter comes to rule the varied year, Sullen and sad with all his rising train."—Thomson. "So saying, her rash hand, in evil hour, Forth reaching to the fruit, she plucked, she ate! Earth felt the wound; and Nature from her seat, Sighing through all her works, gave signs of woe, That all was lost. "—Milton. "War and Love are strange compeers. War sheds blood, and Love sheds tears; War has swords, and Love has darts; War breaks heads, and Love breaks hearts." "Levity is often le foolish and gravity le wise than each of them appears." "The English language, by reserving the distinction of gender for living beings that have sex, gives especial scope for personification. The highest form of personification should be used seldom, and only when justified by the presence of strong feeling."—Bain. "Knowledge and wisdom, far from being one, Have ofttimes no connection. Knowledge dwells In heads replete with thoughts of other men; Wisdom in minds attentive to their own. Knowledge is proud that he has learned so much; Wisdom is humble that he knows no more."—Cowper.