Shakespeare Literary Terms

Prologue An introduction most frequently associated with drama. Prologues were frequently written by the author of a play and delivered by one of the chief actors/chorus. An introduction most frequently associated with drama. Prologues were frequently written by the author of a play and delivered by one of the chief actors/chorus.

Pun Form of Verbal Irony figure of speech consisting of a deliberate confusion of similar words or phrases for rhetorical effect OR A play on words that relies on a word's having more than one meaning or sounding like another word (A play on words based on the similarity of sound between two words with different meanings, usually for comic effect) Homonyms/homophones are commonly used in puns A humorous use of words that has more than one possible meaning, especially two words that sound alike but have differing meanings Examples: “A mender of bad soles,” remarks the cobbler. There was once a cross-eyed teacher who couldn't control his pupils. Police were called to a daycare where a three-year-old was resisting a rest. I couldn't quite remember how to throw a boomerang, but eventually it came back to me.

Stage Directions Material that an author adds to a text to indicate movement, attitude, manner, style, or quality of speech, character, or action Material that an author adds to a text to indicate movement, attitude, manner, style, or quality of speech, character, or action

Genre type/category of literary works based on form, technique or subject matter. type/category of literary works based on form, technique or subject matter.

Drama the realistic portrayal of serious events; a story told in action by actors who impersonate the characters. (play) the realistic portrayal of serious events; a story told in action by actors who impersonate the characters. (play)

Comedy a lighter form of drama that uses humor and aims primarily to amuse (tells anecdotes/stories), and usually is marked by a happy ending (marriages) a lighter form of drama that uses humor and aims primarily to amuse (tells anecdotes/stories), and usually is marked by a happy ending (marriages)

Tragedy a type of play that ends/results in an unfavorable and unhappy ending/catastrophe (usually multiple deaths) and is treated with seriousness and dignity. a type of play that ends/results in an unfavorable and unhappy ending/catastrophe (usually multiple deaths) and is treated with seriousness and dignity. A drama in which the characters experience reversals of fortune, usually for the worse. A drama in which the characters experience reversals of fortune, usually for the worse. catastrophe and suffering await many of the characters, especially the hero. catastrophe and suffering await many of the characters, especially the hero.

Tragic Hero Noble or high birth Noble or high birth exhibits tragic flaw or fate exhibits tragic flaw or fate suffers a fall from glory into suffering (because of tragic flaw/fate) suffers a fall from glory into suffering (because of tragic flaw/fate) Ex: Brutus, Romeo Ex: Brutus, Romeo

Tragic Flaw (a.k.a. Hamartia) weakness or limitation of character/personality, resulting in the fall of the tragic hero. weakness or limitation of character/personality, resulting in the fall of the tragic hero. Ex: Brutus = idealism. Romeo = fickle & impulsive passion Ex: Brutus = idealism. Romeo = fickle & impulsive passion “Hamartia” is derived from the Greek verb hamartanein, meaning "to miss the mark" “Hamartia” is derived from the Greek verb hamartanein, meaning "to miss the mark" Hubris, which is arrogance or extreme pride (the term is derived from the Greek word hybris, meaning “excessive pride”) is the most common form of tragic flaw and often occurs to the point that a mortal challenges the superiority of the gods, for which he/che may be punished Hubris, which is arrogance or extreme pride (the term is derived from the Greek word hybris, meaning “excessive pride”) is the most common form of tragic flaw and often occurs to the point that a mortal challenges the superiority of the gods, for which he/che may be punished

Connotation the emotional association of a word (negative or positive) the emotional association of a word (negative or positive)

Figurative not literal (i.e. metaphors) not literal (i.e. metaphors)

Tone attitude of the speaker/author towards the subject or audience attitude of the speaker/author towards the subject or audience

Mood the emotion a text evokes in the reader the emotion a text evokes in the reader

Conflict interplay between two opposing forces. interplay between two opposing forces. Two types: Two types: 1) internal- a struggle between two elements within one character 1) internal- a struggle between two elements within one character Ex. man vs self (mental/emotional/psychological/spiritual) Ex. man vs self (mental/emotional/psychological/spiritual) 2) external- a struggle between a character and an outside force 2) external- a struggle between a character and an outside force Ex.man vs man man vs nature man vs society

Soliloquy a speech delivered while the speaker is alone, in order to inform the audience of what is passing in the character’s mind (what the speaker is thinking inwardly, with the audience as listeners) a speech delivered while the speaker is alone, in order to inform the audience of what is passing in the character’s mind (what the speaker is thinking inwardly, with the audience as listeners) any long speech/set of lines in a play where only the audience hears what is being said any long speech/set of lines in a play where only the audience hears what is being said a character thinking aloud in a play a character thinking aloud in a playCLARIFICATION If a speech is addressed to the speaker himself (which means the audience), it is called a soliloquy. If a speech is addressed to the speaker himself (which means the audience), it is called a soliloquy.

Monologue a speech delivered by a single speaker to listeners onstage, but the listeners do not speak any extended speech in a play when an actor has a long set of lines to deliver Example: Prince Escalus ’ speech warning the fighters CLARIFICATION If a speech is addressed to another person or group of people, it is called a monologue.

Aside when an actor directly addresses the audience, or another character, but is not supposed to be heard by other actors onstage (usually shorter than a monologue/soliloquy) when an actor directly addresses the audience, or another character, but is not supposed to be heard by other actors onstage (usually shorter than a monologue/soliloquy) literary device where an actor speaks to the audience, himself, or one character, but is not heard by other characters literary device where an actor speaks to the audience, himself, or one character, but is not heard by other characters examples: whispering to another character while the other characters on stage do not hear examples: whispering to another character while the other characters on stage do not hear Turning and speaking to the audience Turning and speaking to the audience Turning away and thinking aloud to himself/herself, briefly Turning away and thinking aloud to himself/herself, briefly Different from a soliloquy because in a soliloquy, the speaker is only speaking to himself/herself Different from a soliloquy because in a soliloquy, the speaker is only speaking to himself/herself

Dramatic Irony the words or acts of a character carry meaning unperceived by the character or other characters but are understood by the audience (the audience/reader knows something that some of the characters are blind to) the words or acts of a character carry meaning unperceived by the character or other characters but are understood by the audience (the audience/reader knows something that some of the characters are blind to) When the reader and/or audience knows something important the character doesn’t When the reader and/or audience knows something important the character doesn’t Builds suspense Builds suspense

Dramatic Foil a character that contrasts with another character, usually the protagonist, highlighting aspects of the main character's personality Their differences create such a great contrast that it is easier to recognize the attributes of main character. Examples Romeo vs. Mercutio Romeo vs. Benvolio George vs. Lennie

Oxymoron a self-contradictory combination/pair of words a self-contradictory combination/pair of words Ex. jumbo shrimp Ex. jumbo shrimp