Hypotyposis

Hypotyposis is a figure of speech in classical rhetoric characterized by a vivid, dramatic description of a scene or event designed to appear before the audience’s mind’s eye. The term, used in Greek and Latin rhetorical theory, denotes the representation of a thing as if seen. In a hypotyposis, the speaker supplies concrete sensory details—visual, auditory, tactile—along with action and spatial arrangement, often presented in present or historic tense to enhance immediacy. The goal is to evoke enargeia, a sense of presence, and to persuade, move, or impress the audience by making them feel as though they are witnessing the depicted scene.

Hypotyposis is closely related to ecphrasis (a vivid description of a work of art) and to enargeia (the vivid, almost photographic depiction). It is frequently employed in oratory, tragedy, and epic poetry to dramatize events, convey atmosphere, or heighten emotional impact. The technique relies on careful selection of details, dynamic sequencing, and a sense of immediacy to place listeners within the moment being described.

Example usage often involves a description of a scene such as a battlefield, a courtroom, or a royal audience, rendered with precise details that bring the setting to life and make the audience feel present. By transporting listeners into the scene, hypotyposis enhances persuasion and emotional engagement while maintaining a neutral, analytical tone typical of scholarly description.

See also: enargeia, ecphrasis.