English Literature & Drama Terms: Sonnets, Shakespeare, and Classic Texts

Simile

A comparison between two unlike things using 'like' or 'as.'

Metaphor

A comparison between two unlike things without using 'like' or 'as.'

Allusion

A reference to a famous person, event, book, or idea.

Alliteration

The repetition of beginning consonant sounds in nearby words.

Theme

The main message, lesson, or idea in a story.

Fiction

Writing that is imaginary or made up.

Nonfiction

Writing based on real facts, people, and events.

Drama

A story written to be performed on a stage.

Stage Directions

Instructions that tell actors how to move, speak, or act.

Aside

A short comment spoken by a character that the audience hears, but other characters do not.

Comic Relief

Funny moments added to a serious story to reduce tension.

Protagonist

The main character of a story.

Antagonist

The character or force that opposes the protagonist.

Tragic Flaw

A weakness or mistake that leads to a character's downfall.

Sonnet

A 14-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme.

Shakespearean (English) Sonnet

14 lines, 3 quatrains + 1 couplet, Rhyme scheme: ABAB CDCD EFEF GG.

Petrarchan (Italian) Sonnet

14 lines, Octave + Sestet, Rhyme scheme: ABBAABBA.

Volta

Means 'turn'; a shift in tone, argument, or idea, usually occurs at line 9.

John Donne

Religious poet, wrote 'The Flea', uses metaphysical conceits.

John Keats

Lost his mother and brother to tuberculosis, died at age 25.

Robert Herrick

Cavalier poet, supported King Charles I, wrote 'To the Virgins, To Make Much of Time.'

Lord Byron

Inspired the term Byronic Hero; characteristics include rebelliousness and attractiveness.

William Wordsworth

Wrote 'I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud', celebrated nature.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Wrote 'How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.'

Andrew Marvell

Wrote 'To His Coy Mistress'.

Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Wrote 'In Memoriam', about grief, loss, faith, and friendship.

Greed

Theme of the Pardoner's Tale; leads to destruction.

Beowulf

Old English epic; Grendel is a descendant of Cain.

Covert

Hidden; secret.

Debonair

Charming and confident.

Invective

Harsh or insulting language.

Procrastinate

To delay doing something.