Othello Literary Devices

Drama

A story written to be performed by actors; script is made up of dialogue and stage directions.

Exposition

Introduction that sets the tone; introduces the characters, setting, and main conflict

Rising Action

Complication of the conflict building to the climax

Climax

Moment when the fortunes of the main characters peak

Falling Action

shows forces acting against the main characters

Resolution/ Catastrophe

Where the deaths of the main characters occur and loose ends are tied up

Soliloquy

A speech in which a character speaks thoughts aloud, alone on stage

Monologue

A long, uninterrupted speech given by one character in the presence of others

Aside

A whisper made by one character that only the audience or another character is supposed to hear

Dramatic Foil

A character whose qualities contrast with another characters to highlight the difference in their personalities

Comic Relief

The inclusion of humorous scenes in a serious drama to relieve emotional intensity

Simile

A comparison between two things using "like" or "as"

Metaphor

A direct comparison between two things

Dramatic Irony

When words or actions of the characters of a work of literature have a different meaning for the reader than they do for the other characters. This is the result of the reading having knowledge or information that the other characters do not have.

Situational Irony

The contrast between what is expected to happen and what actually happens

Verbal Irony

is the use of language to express opposite of its literal meaning

Paradox

A contradictory statement that appears to be true

Personification

Giving human characteristics to inanimate objects

Pun

a play on words based on different meanings of words that sound alike

Foreshadowing

when an author gives hints of clues of what is to come

Allusion

a reference to a well- known piece of art, literature, music, mythology etc. (something the author expects the reader to recognize.

Imagery

A description that helps the reader imagine what something looks, tastes, smells, feels, or sounds like

Symbol

A word, place, character, or object that means something beyond what it is on a literal level.