Personification is defined in Encyclopaedia Britannica as "figure of speech in which human characteristics are attributed to an abstract quality, animal, or inanimate object" ("Personification").

Megan Ward, Oregon State Professor of Victorian Literature, also describes in an article "What is personification" that it can give lifelikeness to the otherwise dull objects or animals and help the readers connect with other parts of the story apart from characters (Ward).

"An example is “The Moon doth with delight / Look round her when the heavens are bare” (William Wordsworth, “Ode: Intimations of Immortality from Recollections of Early Childhood,” 1807). Another is “Death lays his icy hand on kings” (James Shirley, “The Glories of Our Blood and State,” 1659)." ("Personifiation").

Personification has appeared since the ancient times, for example in the Iliad and the Oddysey by Homer.

Some useful links:

https://www.britannica.com/art/personification

https://liberalarts.oregonstate.edu/wlf/what-personification

https://www.ereadingworksheets.com/figurative-language/figurative-language-examples/personification-examples/ - great examples

Used sources:

“Personification.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., https://www.britannica.com/art/personification

Ward, Megan. “What Is Personification? || Oregon State Guide to Literary Terms.” College of Liberal Arts, 26 Nov. 2019, https://liberalarts.oregonstate.edu/wlf/what-personification

author of the page: Linda Šimková