10th Grade World Literature II Study Guide

wassail

A toast to health or prosperity; originally a festive drink used in celebrations.

archetype

Typical example of a certain person or thing; a recurring symbol or motif in literature and art.

Rhetoric

Art of persuasive speaking or writing, often utilizing techniques to convince or influence an audience.

kenning

A figurative expression used in place of a common noun, often found in Old English poetry (e.g., 'whale-road' for the sea).

Aristotle

Ancient Greek philosopher whose writings on logic, metaphysics, ethics, and aesthetics have been influential in Western thought.

Dramatic irony

A literary technique where the audience knows more about a situation than the characters, creating tension or humor.

wyrd

Fate or destiny, often associated with the idea of inevitable fate in literature.

Logos

Appeals to logic and reason in arguments, often used to persuade through rationality.

maraud

To roam in search of things to steal or people to attack; often used in the context of raiding.

Peripeteia

A sudden reversal of fortune or change in circumstances in a literary work, often used in tragedies.

metonymy

A figure of speech in which a thing or concept is referred to by the name of something closely associated with it.

allusion

Indirect reference to a person, event, or piece of literature; it enriches the text by adding context or meaning.

keen

Sharp, intense, or highly developed; can also refer to a strong desire or feeling.

scop

An Old English poet or storyteller who composed and recited poetry in the oral tradition.

thane

Title of nobility in Scotland, historically used for a man who held land granted by the king or by a higher noble.

malignant

Malevolent, harmful, or infectious; often used to describe something that is very dangerous.

Ethos

An appeal to ethics, character, or credibility in arguments, often establishing trust with the audience.

alliteration

The occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words, often used for poetic effect.

Pathos

An appeal to emotion in arguments, evoking feelings of pity, sympathy, or sorrow.

Cultural literacy

The ability to understand and participate in a culture.

pyre

A heap of combustible material, often used for burning a body as part of a funeral rite.

Anagnorisis

A moment in a play or story where a character makes a critical discovery.

mere

A small lake or pond; may also refer to a boundary or boundary marker in older texts.

buffet

To strike repeatedly with force; can also refer to a meal where guests serve themselves from a variety of dishes.

Critical Discovery

A realization about oneself or their situation.

The Iliad

An epic poem by Homer set in Greece.

Achilles

A major character in The Iliad known for his glory and friendship.

Trojan War

A conflict initiated when Trojans abduct Helen, leading to Greek intervention.

The Odyssey

An epic poem by Homer that explores Greek cultural pride and longing for home.

Nostos

The theme of longing for home in The Odyssey.

Oedipus Complex

A psychoanalytic theory by Sigmund Freud based on the character Oedipus.

Antigone

A Greek tragedy by Sophocles that explores civil law vs. moral law.

Till We Have Faces

A novel by C.S. Lewis that addresses themes of divine love vs. selfish love.

Beowulf

An epic poem from Scandinavia that reflects Anglo-Saxon culture.

Heroic Code

A set of values emphasizing bravery, loyalty, and the pursuit of glory.

Greek Name

The name of a god, goddess, or Titan in Greek mythology.

Roman/Latin Name

The corresponding name of a god, goddess, or Titan in Roman mythology.

Zeus

King of the gods in Greek mythology.

Ares

The god of war in Greek mythology.

Hades

The god of the Underworld in Greek mythology.

Athena

The goddess of wisdom in Greek mythology.

Hermes

The messenger god in Greek mythology.

Civil Law vs. Moral Law

A central theme in Antigone that contrasts societal rules with personal ethics.

Fate vs. Free Will

A theme explored in various Greek tragedies, including Antigone.

Power

A theme in Greek tragedies that examines authority and control.

Blindness vs. Sight

A recurring motif in Greek literature, particularly in Oedipus the King.