Answer:
The use of hyperbole within various excerpts is a literary technique to emphasize a character's profound affection or connection to a sword, often elevating it to a symbol of legacy, power, and honor.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question explores the use of hyperbole in literature, specifically in the context of a character's affection for a sword. A hyperbole is an exaggerated statement or claim not meant to be taken literally, but used for emphasis or effect. Within the excerpts provided, hyperbole may be used to emphasize the importance or the valorous quality of the swords, reflecting the characters' reverence or sentiment towards them.
For example, statements like '...the spirit of the race which had passed the great sea burned unconquerable in that small breast and would not be denied' or '...from ages past there has never before been a sword like this one' capture hyperbolic expressions that signify more than just a fondness for weaponry; they convey a deep historical and personal connection. These exaggerated statements serve to heighten the symbolic value of the sword and showcase its role as not just a tool, but a representation of legacy, power, and honor.
It is clear that ancient societies, as well as characters within these narratives, held the sword in high esteem, often attributing to it qualities that transcend the physical artifact itself. By giving swords names like 'Joyeuse' and 'Excalibur', the narration conveys a personification of it, attaching to these weapons a persona of their own, thereby using hyperbole to emphasize how integral the sword is to the characters and their cultures. Similarly, the act of a soldier holding his sword or affecting military poses with a wooden sword showcases a profound affection for the instrument typical of a warrior culture.