1. Shakespearean Vocabulary: Terms & Concepts

2. Shakespearean Vocabulary Elements of a Drama Elements of a Drama Verse vs. Prose Verse vs. Prose Meter Meter Foot Foot Iambic Pentameter Iambic Pentameter Blank Verse vs. Free Verse Blank Verse vs. Free Verse Sonnet Sonnet Quatrain Quatrain Couplet Couplet Aside Aside Monologue Monologue Soliloquy Soliloquy Allusion Allusion Foil Foil Tragedy Tragedy Tragic Hero Tragic Hero Tragic Flaw Tragic Flaw

3. Elements of a Drama These are the FIVE (5) parts that correspond to the five ACTS of plays These are the FIVE (5) parts that correspond to the five ACTS of plays Exposition (the introduction) Exposition (the introduction) Establishes the TONE, introduces the setting, the main characters, and the conflict Establishes the TONE, introduces the setting, the main characters, and the conflict It may also provide additional background info important to understanding the plot It may also provide additional background info important to understanding the plot In Romeo & Juliet, there was a Prologue to provide a comprehensive summary of the plot In Romeo & Juliet, there was a Prologue to provide a comprehensive summary of the plot Rising Action Rising Action Series of complications for the protagonist (main character) Series of complications for the protagonist (main character) Flows from the main character Flows from the main character

4. Elements of a Drama (continued) Climax (or crisis) Climax (or crisis) Turning point in the story Turning point in the story The moment of choice (an important decision must be made) The moment of choice (an important decision must be made) Forces of conflict come together Forces of conflict come together Falling Action Falling Action Results of protagonist’s decision Results of protagonist’s decision Maintains suspense Maintains suspense Resolution Resolution Conclusion of the play Conclusion of the play Unraveling of the plot Unraveling of the plot Typically, in a Shakespearean play, may include the characters’ death Typically, in a Shakespearean play, may include the characters’ death

5. Shakespeare’s Types of Characters Static (or “Flat” characters) Static (or “Flat” characters) Characters within a story who remain the same– they DO NOT change their minds, opinions, or character Characters within a story who remain the same– they DO NOT change their minds, opinions, or character Dynamic (or “Round” characters) Dynamic (or “Round” characters) Possess many character traits, like “real” people Possess many character traits, like “real” people Dramatic Foil Dramatic Foil A character whose whole purpose is to show off another character A character whose whole purpose is to show off another character Look for how Benvolio does this for Tybalt’s character in the story Look for how Benvolio does this for Tybalt’s character in the story

6. In His Plays, Shakespeare’s Characters Use Dramatic Techniques on Stage for the Benefit of the Audience Soliloquy Soliloquy Medium to long speech– one actor sharing his/her thoughts aloud Medium to long speech– one actor sharing his/her thoughts aloud Spoken by one actor alone on stage (or not heard by other actors); not directed at the audience Spoken by one actor alone on stage (or not heard by other actors); not directed at the audience Spoken for the benefit of the audience to understand the character’s thoughts, motives, etc. Spoken for the benefit of the audience to understand the character’s thoughts, motives, etc.

7. Some additional dramatic techniques Monologue Monologue One person speaking for a longer period of time One person speaking for a longer period of time Is NOT a dialogue (which is an fair exchange of words between two or more characters) Is NOT a dialogue (which is an fair exchange of words between two or more characters) Aside Aside Direct address by actor to audience Direct address by actor to audience Not supposed to be overheard by other characters Not supposed to be overheard by other characters

8. Shakespeare’s Poetic Use of Language Pun Pun A play on words involving A play on words involving A word or words with more than one meaning, or A word or words with more than one meaning, or Words with similar sound Words with similar sound “ Not closing schools when it was negative 20 degrees out was a pretty cold gesture.” “The woman who owns the bakery is very sweet.” Metaphoric Language Metaphoric Language Comparison of unlike things Comparison of unlike things “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?...” “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?...” Alliteration Alliteration A repetition of a consonant sound at the beginning of a word Example: “She sells sea shells by the sea shore.” A repetition of a consonant sound at the beginning of a word Example: “She sells sea shells by the sea shore.”

9. Literary Device: Paradox: When the meaning is different from what is present, often interpreted as a contradiction. In this case, the true meaning is inferred from additional information, such as context. Paradox: When the meaning is different from what is present, often interpreted as a contradiction. In this case, the true meaning is inferred from additional information, such as context. This concept is similar to verbal irony in which the speaker says one thing, but means another. This concept is similar to verbal irony in which the speaker says one thing, but means another.

10. Dramatic Themes Theme: Central idea or insight about life featured in the plot Theme: Central idea or insight about life featured in the plot Common Theme: Common Theme: Tragedy (Shakespearean) Tragedy (Shakespearean) Drama where the central character/s suffer disaster or great misfortune Drama where the central character/s suffer disaster or great misfortune In many tragedies, this downfall results from In many tragedies, this downfall results from FATE FATE CHARACTER FLAW / FATAL FLAW CHARACTER FLAW / FATAL FLAW Or a combination of these two Or a combination of these two Comic Relief Comic Relief Use of comedy or humor used to provide “relief” from the seriousness or sadness, or to “relieve” the tension of the situation Use of comedy or humor used to provide “relief” from the seriousness or sadness, or to “relieve” the tension of the situation

11. Understanding Shakespeare’s Meter Foot/Feet: In Shakespeare’s poetry, it is the smallest unit of rhythm Foot/Feet: In Shakespeare’s poetry, it is the smallest unit of rhythm (more commonly referred to as a “Meter”) (more commonly referred to as a “Meter”) Meter is a measure of the time-pattern that is repeated Meter is a measure of the time-pattern that is repeated Iamb: Iamb: A foot of two-syllables with unstressed syllable followed by the stressed syllable A foot of two-syllables with unstressed syllable followed by the stressed syllable Iambic Pentameter Iambic Pentameter 5 foot metrical line of weak followed by strong syllables 5 foot metrical line of weak followed by strong syllables Each line is 10 syllables long in Shakespeare’s sonnets Each line is 10 syllables long in Shakespeare’s sonnets Intended for actors to speak lines naturally when performing a play Intended for actors to speak lines naturally when performing a play

12. Blank Verse vs. Free Verse Blank Verse: Unrhymed iambic pentameter One equal temper of heroic hearts, Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield. Free Verse:No regular meter One’s-Self I sing, a simple separate person, Yet utter the word Democratic, the word En-Masse.

13. Verse vs. Prose Verse: Poetic language that includes meter and sometimes rhyme; organized in lines with a consistent number of syllables Prose: Ordinary written language with no meter or rhyme; organized in sentences

14. Verse vs. Prose: Usage Poetic style of verse used for high status characters, great affairs of war and state, and tragic moments. Poetic style of verse used for high status characters, great affairs of war and state, and tragic moments. Prose used for low status characters (servants, clowns, drunks, villains), proclamations, written challenges, accusations, letters, comedic moments, and to express madness. Prose used for low status characters (servants, clowns, drunks, villains), proclamations, written challenges, accusations, letters, comedic moments, and to express madness.

15. Poetic Techniques English Sonnet English Sonnet Fourteen line poem (Shakespeare wrote 154 of them!) Fourteen line poem (Shakespeare wrote 154 of them!) Each line contains ten syllables and written in iambic pentameter Each line contains ten syllables and written in iambic pentameter Rhyme scheme in a Shakespearean sonnet is Rhyme scheme in a Shakespearean sonnet is a-b-a-b, c-d-c-d, e-f-e-f, g-g* *The last two lines are a rhyming couplet *The last two lines are a rhyming couplet

16. Sonnet: Example AWhen my love that she is made of truth, BI do believe her, though I know she lies, AThat she might think me some untutored youth, BUnlearned in the world’s false subtleties. CThus vainly thinking that she thinks me young, DAlthough she knows my days are past the best, CSimply I credit her false-speaking tongue; DOn both sides thus is simple truth supprest. EBut wherefore says she not she is unjust? FAnd wherefore say not I that I am old? EOh, love’s best habit is in seeming trust, FAnd age in love loves not to have years told: GTherefore I lie with her and she with me, GAnd in our faults by lies we flattered be.

17. Tragedy: Vocabulary Tragedy - by definition - protagonists die, a bloodbath at the end --> much needed CATHARSIS (spiritual cleansing, purification): “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.” Tragedy - by definition - protagonists die, a bloodbath at the end --> much needed CATHARSIS (spiritual cleansing, purification): “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.” Catharsis or a cathartic effect in a tragedy is accomplished through a “bloodbath.” Catharsis or a cathartic effect in a tragedy is accomplished through a “bloodbath.” hamartia(Gr.) - a tragic flaw, leads to the fall of a noble man hamartia(Gr.) - a tragic flaw, leads to the fall of a noble man hubris (Gr.)- arrogance, excessive self-pride and self-confidence, the emotions in Greek tragic heroes that led them to ignore warnings from the gods and thus invite catastrophe; considered a form of hamartia stemming from overbearing pride and lack of piety. hubris (Gr.)- arrogance, excessive self-pride and self-confidence, the emotions in Greek tragic heroes that led them to ignore warnings from the gods and thus invite catastrophe; considered a form of hamartia stemming from overbearing pride and lack of piety. anti-hero -protagonist w/many qualities, but has a hamartia: inept, silly, indecisive; or an antagonist who elicits sympathy or admiration e.g. Dexter, Lucifer/Satan as portrayed in Paradise Lost by John Milton anti-hero -protagonist w/many qualities, but has a hamartia: inept, silly, indecisive; or an antagonist who elicits sympathy or admiration e.g. Dexter, Lucifer/Satan as portrayed in Paradise Lost by John Milton

18. Archetype ar·che·type / ˈ ärkə ˌ tīp/ noun 1. a very typical example of a certain person or thing. Example: “The book is a perfect archetype of the genre." 2. an original that has been imitated. Example: “In the Juedo-Christian Bible, one of the archetypes of faith is Abraham." 3. a recurrent symbol or motif in literature, art, or mythology. Example: “Mythological archetypes of good and evil are common in Greek mythology.” synonyms:quintessence, essence, representative, model, embodiment, prototype, stereotype

19. WWI Poem Presentations As a group, you’ll present your poem and interpretation to the class As a group, you’ll present your poem and interpretation to the class Read the poem to the class Read the poem to the class Share the examples you selected from the text Share the examples you selected from the text Explain what interpretations or meaning you inferred about the poet’s message Explain what interpretations or meaning you inferred about the poet’s message