British Literature Overview

A collection of vocabulary flashcards related to key figures, works, and concepts in British literature, particularly focusing on the Greco-Roman period and early Renaissance.

Homer

An ancient Greek poet, author of The Iliad and The Odyssey, considered one of the greatest figures in Western literature.

The Iliad

An epic poem attributed to Homer that tells the story of the Trojan War.

The Odyssey

The sequel to The Iliad, it recounts the adventures of Odysseus as he returns home from the Trojan War.

Tragedy

A form of drama that originated in ancient Greece, focused on serious themes and often involving a noble character's downfall.

Dionysia

A major festival in ancient Athens that honored the god Dionysus, where tragedies and comedies were performed.

Aeschylus

An ancient Greek playwright, often referred to as the Father of Tragedy; author of The Oresteia.

Sophocles

An ancient Greek playwright known for works like Oedipus Tyrannus and Antigone.

Euripides

An ancient Greek playwright known for his tragedies, including Medea.

Chaucer

Geoffrey Chaucer, known as the Father of English literature; author of The Canterbury Tales.

The Canterbury Tales

A collection of stories written by Chaucer, presented as a pilgrimage narrative.

Frame narrative

A literary technique that uses a main story to introduce one or more smaller stories.

Iambic pentameter

A common meter in poetry characterized by lines of verse consisting of five metrical feet.

The Knight

A character in The Canterbury Tales representing the ideals of chivalry.

The Wife of Bath

A character who challenges traditional gender roles, known for her confidence and assertiveness.

Medieval ballad

A narrative poem that tells a story, often focused on themes of love and loss.

Utopia

A book by Thomas More that describes an ideal society, using the term to denote a perfect place or state.

Thomas More

An English lawyer, statesman, and author, known for his work Utopia and his opposition to King Henry VIII.

Humanism

A Renaissance cultural movement that emphasized human potential and individualism.

Baseline of Literary Critique

A discussion on morality, ethics, and the social commentary present in literature.

Plato

An ancient Greek philosopher whose works influenced Western thought and philosophy.

Aristotle

A Greek philosopher who made foundational contributions to various fields of knowledge, including literary theory.

Le Morte d'Arthur

A prose work by Sir Thomas Malory that compiles Arthurian legends into a cohesive narrative.