Lesson Overview

In this lesson, students will examine how hyperbole and understatement create dramatic effect and enhance characterization in William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. Using various examples excerpted from the text, students will evaluate the use of both hyperbole and understatement and explain how each example helps shape the meaning of the text. This lesson can be completed any time after students have read Act 3.

Materials

  • Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare
    Buy Now

Lesson Objectives

1. Students will identify examples of hyperbole and understatement in various excerpts from Julius Caesar and look at how these devices function in each section of the text. 

2. Students will correlate the literal, or concrete, meaning of language used figuratively with the abstract idea the language is used to convey. 

3. Students will analyze the purpose and function of hyperbole and understatement.

Instructional Sequence

1. Define hyperbole and understatement and provide examples to strengthen understanding. 

Hyperbole is a figure of speech that uses extreme exaggeration to illustrate a point, highlight characteristics, or create contrast. Unlike other figures of speech, hyperbole often has a concrete, literal element that is overstated in a figurative manner.

Understatement, also referred to as litotes, is presenting something to be less important or relevant than it actually is. Understatement is hyperbole’s opposite and is a type of verbal irony that makes a statement about something by presenting its opposite.

Provide the general examples of hyperbole and understatement given here and then have the class generate more examples.

Hyperbole examples:

This is taking forever.
I’m going to die if I have to keep this up.
Cry me a river.
I told you a million times already!

Identifying hyperbole involves looking for the literal element in the comparison and then identifying the nonliteral element. In the preceding examples, the literal elements are bolded and the exaggerated elements are italicized. The first example, “This is taking forever,” pairs the literal idea of something taking time (note that this expression is somewhat metaphoric as well) and exaggerates the amount of time taken in order to express the sensation of time moving slowly.

Understatement examples: 

I won a small award. (after receiving the Nobel Prize)
I had a minor operation. (after brain surgery)
It’s a little chilly outside. (on a -10 degree winter day)
I donated a small portion of my salary to charity. (when the donated portion is more than 50 percent)

Understatement, like verbal irony, relies on context to create meaning. Like hyperbole, understatement has both a literal and nonliteral element. In the preceding examples, the literal element is bolded, and the understated language is italicized. Understatement is often used to characterize or add meaning in literature. The first example, “I won a small award,” suggests that the speaker is humble. The Nobel Prize is one of the most recognized awards a person can receive, and suggesting that it is a “small award” will likely imply that the speaker wishes to divert attention away from her or his accomplishment.

2. Review mixing metaphors or similes and other comparisons. 

Explain to students that figurative language is not always singular. At times, authors, especially Shakespeare, will use several different types of figurative language to convey ideas. In the following example from Julius Caesar, Shakespeare employs a hyperbolic simile and allusion to explain how Cassius once saved Caesar’s life. 

I, as Aeneas, our great ancestor, 

Did from the flames of Troy upon his shoulder 

The old Anchises bear, so from the waves of Tiber 

Did I the tired Caesar. 

(No Fear: 1.2.114–117) 

In this quote, Cassius compares himself and his act of saving Caesar from drowning to the Trojan hero Aeneas, who saved his father Anchises from the flames of Troy when it was being sacked by the Greeks. The comparison employs the word as and correlates two unlike elements: Cassius and the hero Aeneas. The comparison is an allusion because of the reference to Aeneas, who is considered one of the founders of Rome. The comparison is hyperbolic because it relates a concrete element, Cassius saving Caesar, to an exaggerated comparison, Aeneas saving Anchises from a burning city. The purpose is to both call upon the traditional foundations of Rome in a patriotic sense and emphasize the heroic act of Cassius while also demonstrating Caesar’s weakness. 

3. Identify and explain elements of hyperbole and understatement. 

Hand out the Hyperbole and Understatement Worksheet and have students complete it either individually or in pairs.

4. Compare responses and review as a class. 

After students have completed the worksheet, have them work in small groups to review their answers. Then assign one response to each group and have them present their response to the class. Have students provide feedback and additional details for each group response and discuss each as a class.

Differentiated Instruction

This activity can be modified to help all students access learning.
Decrease difficulty

Have students work in pairs or in groups of three to complete the worksheet. 

Review students’ answers as a class after they respond to each question. This breaks up the work and helps to make sure students are on the right track before moving on.

Increase difficulty

Open the activity up to other types of figurative language beyond hyperbole and understatement. Encourage students to look for related instances of figurative language in the excerpts and see how each works to convey a singular idea. 

Downloads