Tracing a Word Reminders and Advice

Common Issues Speaker – Some students did not put the Act, Scene, or Line numbers for each entry Paraphrase – Some people summarized this. You are providing a modern translation like the No Fear Shakespeare (Do not copy NFS!). Some students also kept many archaic or complex words which are not used in colloquial modern English. Bring it to modernity! Clarification – For the most part, students were successful here. Some did not provide enough summary or context. Also, do not be ambiguous with pronouns – who is talking to who? Who was killed? To whom is the speaker conversing? Analysis – This is where most students struggled. Some students continued their summary(clarification). Some did not address the word they were assigned; others did not focus on the context/connotation of the word. See the next slides for advice.

Literary Devices – A perfect Way to “Analyze” ironic tone Literary Devices – A perfect Way to “Analyze” Literary devices provide a perfect way to analyze a text in a clear, structured way. It shows the significance of why a word was chosen in a line because each word was chosen by Shakespeare for a specific reason. In your AP classes, you will be required to use these literary devices and know them “from memory” when analyzing texts.

Example 1 In this context, the weird sisters use the word “honor” to describe Macbeth in an ironic tone. While it seems like honor possesses a positive tone, it actually has a dark undertone. It confuses Macbeth, giving them the upper hand. Additionally, it pushes the plot forward because Macbeth becomes enchanted by this respect and spends the rest of the play chasing the honor the witches promised him. This will change his character from a loyal subject to a dark, twisted, lonely figure. Notice: I focused on the word, not only what is “going on” in the play I have highlighted the importance of the word and why it was chosen I am not just writing a sentence. PUSH yourself

Example 2 In this context, the word Macbeth begins to have a more negative tone and connotation, much contrasting with the respect and reverence his name received from King Duncan, the bleeding Captain, and others in Act I. When Lady Macbeth speaks about Macbeth in this line, she is deriding him which foreshadows his downfall and inevitable tragic fall. She indirectly characterizes him as weak and “cowardly” which is the antithesis to his actions as a battle hero earlier in the play. This adds characterization and complexity to Macbeth’s character. Notice: I focused on the word, not only what is “going on” in the play I have highlighted the importance of the word and why it was chosen I am not just writing a sentence. PUSH yourself

Potential Literary Devices – Use these to help with Analysis Plot, mood, tone, irony, characterization, imagery, theme, symbolism, allusion, hyperbole, metaphor, simile, metonymy, foreshadow, flash-forward, paradox, motif, foil, setting, conflict, etc. See more at http://literary-devices.com/