lit terms 91-100

91. protagonist - the main character in a story; more than one character may be important enough to be called "main," or no character seems to qualify. In those cases, figuring out whether there is a main character and who it is may be an interesting and even difficult interpretive job. 92. pun – a play on words wherein a word is used to convey two meanings at the same time. The line below, spoken by Mercutio in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, is an example of a pun. Mercutio has just been stabbed, knows he is dying and says: “Ask for me tomorrow and you shall find me a grave man. “ 93. rhetoric - the art of speaking or writing effectively; skill in the eloquent use of language. 94. rhetorical device – device used to produce effective speaking or writing 95. rhetorical question – a question solely for effect, with no answer expected. By the implication that the answer is obvious, it is a means of achieving an emphasis stronger than a direct statement. 96. rhyme scheme - a pattern of rhyming words in a stanza 97. rhyme - similarity or likeness of sound; may be internal (within a segment of writing) or at the ends of lines of verse in poetry 98. round character - a fully developed character; character who is complex, multi-dimensional, and convincing. 99. sarcasm - the caustic and heavy use of apparent praise 100. satire - a piece of literature designed to ridicule the subject of the work. While satire can be funny, its aim is not to amuse, but to arouse contempt. Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels satirizes the English people, making them seem dwarfish in their ability to deal with large thoughts, issues, or deeds. Satire arouses laughter or scorn as a means of ridicule and derision, with the avowed intention of correcting human faults.