Wk#2 Brit Lit Vocab

Quarto

a sheet of paper folded into quarters, creating 4 leaves (8 pages).

Folio

the same piece of paper folded in half, forming a larger sized book.

First Folio

the first complete collection of Shakespeare’s plays, was compiled and published by John Hemminge and Henry Condell

Comedy

pits two people or groups of people against each other, often with humorous consequences

Tragedy

tells the story of death or misery that is caused by a combination of bad luck and human error.

Soliloquy

a speech that a character makes while alone on stage, to reveal  his or her thoughts to the audience.

Aside

a remark that a character makes in an undertone to the audience  or another character but that others on stage are not supposed to hear.

Dramatic Irony

is when the audience knows more than the characters—for example, the audience is aware of Romeo and Juliet’s tragic demise long before the characters themselves face it, this helps build suspense

Tragic Hero

• usually fails or dies because of a character flaw or a cruel twist of fate

• often has a high rank or status; shows strength while facing his or her destiny

Hamartia

The fatal character flaw of the tragic hero.

Catharsis

or cleansing, of these emotions in the audience (through empathy)

Eminently

notably; very

Depravity

an evil or immoral act; a state of moral corruption

Censure

to express disapproval for someone or something; to criticize