1. Repetition: The song heavily relies on repetition, both of phrases and individual words. The most prominent example is the constant repetition of "War" throughout the song, emphasizing the song's central theme and driving home the message of its futility. Other examples include:
* "What is it good for?"
* "It's just a way to hide your guilt"
* "Can't nobody win it"
* "No good for nothin', no good for nothin'!"
2. Anaphora: This is a specific type of repetition where a word or phrase is repeated at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences. It's used to create a powerful and emphatic effect. The most obvious example in "War" is:
* "War, huh, yeah, what is it good for? Absolutely nothin', sayin' war, huh, yeah, what is it good for? Absolutely nothin', sayin'..."
3. Antithesis: This literary device uses contrasting ideas or words to create a balance and highlight the opposing forces. While "War" primarily uses repetition, an example of antithesis can be found in the following lines:
* "War is not the answer" and "War is not the answer" followed by "Only love can conquer all." This stark contrast between "war" and "love" emphasizes the song's message of peace and the futility of violence.
These are just a few examples of literary devices in "War." The song also utilizes figurative language like metaphors (e.g., "war is just a way to hide your guilt"), similes, and rhetorical questions to deliver its powerful anti-war message.