Come, thou gentle day illustrates

Analyze the question: "Come, thou gentle day" is a line in which the speaker addresses "day," something that cannot hear or respond, as if it were a person. We need the figure of speech that matches this.

Explain the concept:

• Apostrophe: addressing an absent person, an abstract idea, or an inanimate object directly, as if it could listen. It often uses "O" or "thou" and a command such as "Come."
• Irony: saying the opposite of what is meant, or a contrast between expectation and reality.
• Paradox: a statement that seems self-contradictory but contains a truth (e.g. "less is more").
• Euphemism: a mild, polite word used in place of a harsh or unpleasant one (e.g. "passed away" for "died").

Step-by-step solution:

1. The speaker says "Come, thou..." which is a direct address.
2. The one addressed is "gentle day," which is a non-living thing and cannot respond.
3. The "day" is also given human qualities ("gentle"), so there is personification as well, but the main device is the direct address.
4. There is no contradiction (paradox), no opposite meaning (irony), and no softening of something harsh (euphemism).

So the line illustrates apostrophe.

Exam tip: Whenever you see "O", "thou", or a command like "Come," "Hear me," or "Rise" directed at a thing, an idea, or someone absent, think apostrophe. Don't confuse it with the punctuation mark (') that shares the name.