Introduction to Poetry and Epic Narrative Study Notes

Practice flashcards covering definitions of poetry, epic narratives like the Iliad, conflict types, plot structures, rhyme types, and literary devices.

Poetry

A broad form of literature that expresses ideas, emotions, or stories through rhyme, rhythm, and imagery, focusing on feelings, observations, or events.

Epic Poetry

A long narrative poem telling the adventures and achievements of a heroic figure while reflecting the values of a culture, often including grand settings and supernatural elements.

Iliad

An epic poem by Homer that tells the story of the hero Achilles during the Trojan War, exploring themes of honor, glory, fate, and heroism.

Achilles

The best warrior of the Greeks who refuses to fight after his war prize is stolen, leading to the death of his best friend, Patroclus.

Agamemnon

The Greek commander who abuses his political power to steal the war prize of Achilles, causing a major conflict in the Iliad.

Patroclus

The best friend of Achilles whose death causes Achilles to reconnect with his humanity after a period of acting like a "liberal monster."

Conflict

The struggle or problem faced by a character in a story, used to develop the plot and reveal themes and character traits.

Character vs. Society

A type of conflict that occurs when a character opposes the rules, expectations, or authority of a group or society.

Character vs. Self

A conflict occurring within a character's mind, involving emotions, beliefs, desires, or decisions.

Plot

The organized sequence of events in a narrative arranged by the author to create meaning, tension, and emotional impact.

In Medias Res

A Latin phrase meaning "into the middle of things," referring to a story that opens during an important conflict or action rather than at the beginning.

Exposition

The element of plot that introduces the setting, characters, and background information.

Climax

The turning point or moment of great tension in the sequence of events in a story.

Resolution (Denouement)

The conclusion of a story where the main conflict is resolved.

End Rhyme

Occurs when the last words of $2$ or more lines have the same or similar ending sounds.

Internal Rhyme

Occurs when rhyming words appear within the same line or between the middle of one line and the middle of another.

Perfect Rhyme

Occurs when two words have exactly the same ending vowel and consonant sounds while beginning with different sounds.

Slant Rhyme

Also known as near rhyme, imperfect rhyme, or half rhyme; occurs when words have similar but not identical sounds.

Rhyme Scheme

The pattern of rhymes in a poem, often represented by assigning letters to lines that rhyme.

Enclosed Rhyme ($ABBA$)

A rhyme scheme where the first and fourth lines rhyme, while the second and third lines rhyme.

Meter

The rhythmic pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in a poem that creates the beat.

Stanza

A group of lines arranged together within a poem.

Simile

A comparison between two things using the words "like" or "as."

Personification

A figure of speech giving human qualities to non-human things.

Hyperbole

An extreme exaggeration used for emphasis, such as claiming to have climbed a $1 \times 10^6$ mountains.

Oxymoron

A figure of speech that combines two opposite ideas.

Alliteration

A sound device involving the repetition of initial consonant sounds.

Assonance

A sound device characterized by the repetition of vowel sounds.

Onomatopoeia

A sound device using words that imitate specific sounds.