Key Literary Terms in Shakespeare
Key Literary Terms When Reading Shakespeare
Tragedy
Definition: A category of Shakespearean play that ends poorly, typically resulting in death for the main character(s).
Example: Hamlet - centers on a prince seeking revenge against his uncle for murdering his father.
Blank Verse
Definition: The predominant style in which most of Shakespeare's plays are written. Comprises ten syllables per line, alternating between unstressed and stressed beats, and does not incorporate rhyme.
Example: Not provided.
Iambic Pentameter
Definition: A rhythmic pattern often used by Shakespeare, consisting of lines made up of five metrical feet, each foot being an "iamb" (an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable).
Example: "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?"
Shakespearean Sonnet
Definition: A type of sonnet created by Shakespeare, written in iambic pentameter featuring three quatrains and a final rhyming couplet, typically with the rhyme scheme abab cdcd efef gg.
Example: Not provided.
Couplet
Definition: Two consecutive lines that rhyme, commonly found in sonnets or in character dialogues, often appearing right before a character exits.
Example: Not provided.
Foil
Definition: A character whose purpose is to highlight the traits of another character.
Example: Draco Malfoy from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone as a foil to Harry Potter.
Aside
Definition: Lines spoken that are directed towards specific characters or the audience, typically not heard by other characters on stage.
Example: A character saying he hates his new boss to the camera while pretending to like him to others.
Monologue
Definition: A lengthy speech by a character that reveals insights into their personality. It is delivered while other characters are present on stage.
Example: A dramatic monologue revealing a character's emotional state.
Situational Irony
Definition: Occurs when events unfold in a manner contrary to what is expected, resulting in a sense of surprise.
Example: A fire station burning down or a terrible chef opening a restaurant.
Verbal Irony
Definition: When a speaker says the opposite of what they actually mean; often overlaps with sarcasm.
Example: Commenting on bad weather with phrases like, "Nice weather, huh?"
Dramatic Irony
Definition: When the audience has more knowledge about events in the story than the characters.
Example: Not provided.
Pun
Definition: A form of wordplay that exploits different meanings of a word or similar-sounding words for comedic effect.
Example: A bicycle can't stand on its own because it is two-tired.
Run-On Line
Definition: When a speaker says the opposite of what they actually mean; often overlaps with sarcasm.
Example: Commenting on bad weather with phrases like, "Nice weather, huh?"
Example: Not provided.
End-Stopped Line
Definition: Lines that conclude with punctuation, signaling the reader to pause before continuing.
Example: Not provided.
Dramatic Monologue
Definition: A speech that a character gives, sharing their thoughts and feelings with at least one .other character present, intended for all to hear.
Example: Hamlet's "To be or not to be" soliloquy
Soliloquy
Definition: A speech delivered by a character alone on stage, revealing their inner thoughts to the audience.
Example: The “To Be or Not To Be” speech from Hamlet.
Run-On Sentence
Definition: A literary device in which a sentence continues without the proper use of punctuation, making it grammatically incorrect.
Example: "I went to school I came home I brushed my teeth I went to bed."
These comprehensive notes should provide a thorough understanding of key literary terms crucial for studying Shakespeare’s works.