1. Shakespeare Terms

2. Blank Verse Unrhymed lines of iambic pentameter(5 beats of 10 syllables per line)

3. Atmosphere The general mood or emotional quality o a literary work. Ex. “The One Who Walk Away From Omelas” begins with a happy and idealistic atmosphere.

4. Motif A repeated image, work, or idea in a literary work that relates to its theme. Ex. A motif in Macbeth is bloody hands.

5. Tragedy A literary work in which a main character, or hero, suffers a downfall as a result of a character flaw an error in judgment, or forces beyond human control. Tragic Hero Tragic Flaw E. In the tragedy Macbeth, the tragic hero’s tragic flaw is hubris.

6. Hubris Exaggerated sense of power or pride. Ex. Hitler was a dictator with lots of hubris.

7. Comic Relief Humor meant to give relief from emotional intensity. Ex. In Romeo and Juliet Mercutio provides comic relief when he teases the nurse.

8. Foil A minor character whose attitudes and behavior differ from those of a main character. Ex. The young, gentle loving Romeo has a hot-headed foil named Tyblalt.

9. Soliloquy A long speech spoken by a character alone on stage. Ex. Juliet’s balcony speech “Romeo, o, Romeo” is a soliloquy.

10. Monologue A long, uninterrupted speech in the presence of other characters. Ex. Many comedians start each of their shows with a monologue.

11. Aside A short remark usually directed to the audience and not intended to be heard by other characters. Ex. Sometimes a character uses an aside to give inside information.

12. Paradox A statement that appears to be opposites or contradictions but is actually true. Ex. “Fair is foul and foul is fair.”