Anachronism can refer to a writer putting a person or thing in a previous time period-when the object was not in existence or when the person did not live. An anachronism can also occur when the author puts something historical in a modern setting where it is out of place. 1.

Why do anachronisms occur?

An anachronism may be either intentional or unintentional. Intentional anachronisms may be introduced into a literary or artistic work to help a contemporary audience engage more readily with a historical period. Anachronism can also be used intentionally for purposes of rhetoric, propaganda, comedy, or shock.

What are some examples of anachronism?

Anachronism Definition

Generally, they are considered errors that occur due to lack of research. For example, if a painter paints a portrait of Aristotle, and shows him wearing a wrist watch, it would be an example of anachronism, as we are all aware that wristwatches did not exist during Aristotle's time.