English Literary Terms Flashcards

Tragedy

A serious play in which the main character passes through a series of misfortunes leading to a final catastrophe.

Chorus

In Shakespeare's time, the this was generally one of the actors, rather than a troupe of singers and dancers as in classical Greek plays from where the term is derived.

Prologue

Introduction to the play, spoken by the chorus; in Romeo and Juliet, the prologue is a sonnet.

Sonnet

A poem with 14 lines, rhymed and metered; Shakespearean Sonnet = iambic pentameter; Rhyme scheme: ABAB CDCD EFEF followed by a rhyming couplet (GG).

Iambic Pentameter

A line of poetry containing ten syllables or five iambic feet of unstressed & stressed sounds.

Rhyme Scheme

Pattern of rhymes in a poem or poetic style.

Simile

A comparison of two objects using 'like' or 'as'. Example: ' What drawn, and talk of peace. I hate the word/ As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee.'

Oxymoron

Paired opposites. Example: 'O brawling love, O loving hate, of nothing first create.'

Allusion

Subtle references to something well known in history or literature.

Classical Allusion

Reference to classical Greek or Roman culture or mythology. Example: 'hath Dian's wit,' referring to the Roman goddess who is a virgin, and Rosaline is like this goddess. ‘She will not be hit with Cupid’s arrow’

Metaphor

Comparison of two unlike objects NOT using 'like' or 'as'. Example: 'Compare her face with some that I shall show and/ I… will make thee think thy swan a crow.'

Extended Metaphor

Comparison of two unlike objects not using 'like' or 'as', developed over several lines. Example: Paris compared to a book - book, volume, margins, pen, writ, unbound, cover, clasps, golden story.

Aside

A character makes a short comment that the audience hears, but the other characters on stage are assumed not to have heard. Example: Juliet's comment 'What’s in a name?'

Hyperbole

Extreme exaggeration for effect. Example: 'A thousand times good night!' or 'tis twenty years till then'.

Dramatic Irony

Depends on the structure of the play more than on the actual words of the characters. The situation which arises when a character in a play speaks lines which are understood in a double sense by the audience though not by the character on stage. Because the audience knows something the characters do not, this is created

Verbal Irony

Words spoken where the intended meaning is the opposite of what is stated. Example: 'Thou hast comforted me marvelous much…' in III, v, 232.

Protagonist

Character who moves the action forward, often associated with the hero.

Antagonist

Character who provides opposition for the protagonist.

Foil

Character whose traits contrast with those of the main character in order to emphasize the main character’s traits.

Setting

Time and place of the story.

Tone (R+J literary terms)

Overall feeling of a piece, the attitude that an author conveys through their word choice, sentence structure, and other elements of writing.

Conflict

The opposition of two forces or characters.

Internal Conflict

Conflict within a character.

External Conflict

Conflict between a character and society.

External Conflict (between characters)

Conflict between two characters.

Pun

Play on words, either with sound or meaning or both, the usually humorous use of a word in such a way as to suggest two or more of its meanings.

Alliteration

Repetition of sounds at the beginnings of words.

Foreshadowing

Hint of what is to come in the story.

Personification

Giving human characteristics to inanimate objects or animals.

Monologue

A long speech by one character.

Symbol

Something (usually a concrete object) that represents something abstract (an idea).

Soliloquy

A character alone on stage declares aloud his/her true thoughts or feelings.

Comic Relief

Release from the build up of tragic emotion or tension through the use of humor.

Catharsis

Emotional purification or relief from witnessing tragic events. 1. Retribution: death of child for feud to end. 2. Reward: end of feud/ reconciliation. 3. Restoration: calm is restored.

Prose

Writing without rhyme or meter.

Onomatopoeia

Words which sound like what they mean.

Theme

The main idea or message that the author wants the reader to think about- universal idea

Tragic Flaw

Hamartia; a character trait which is excessive in the main character or tragic hero, leading to their downfall.

Characters

The people in a novel, play, or movie.

Rhetoric

The art or skill of speaking or writing formally and effectively especially as a way to persuade or influence people.

Speaker

The person, group, or organization that creates a written or spoken work.

Occasion

The circumstances of a text, such as time, place, or context in which it was written.

Audience

The intended or actual readers or listeners of a piece of writing or performance.

Purpose

The use of language to achieve and intended goals, such as to persuade, inform, or entertain.

Subject

The issue or major topics that the writer, audience, and text addresses.

Tone (SOAPSTONE definition)

The general attitude or character of a piece of writing.

Express and Reflect

The writer expresses and reflects on his or her own life and experiences, often looks backward in order to look forward.

Inform and Explain

The writer states a main point and purpose, tries to present the information in a surprising way.

Evaluate and Judge

The writer focuses of the worth of person, object, idea, or other phenomenon, usually specifies the criteria to the object being seen as “good” or “bad.”

Analyze and Interpret

The writer seeks to analyze and interpret phenomena that are difficult to understand or explain.

Take a Stand / Propose a Solution

The writer seeks to persuade audiences to accept a particular position on a controversial issue, describes the problem, proposes a solution, and provides justification.