1. Wit Christy Brown Leah Woodside Per. 2

2. Definition A natural aptitude for using words and ideas in a quick and inventive way to create humor

3. Pronunciation \wit\ http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/wit

4. Literary References “Do, do: he'll but break a comparison or two on me, which, peradventure not marked or not laughed at, strikes him into melancholy; and then there's a partridge wing saved, for the fool will eat no supper that night.” (Much Ado About Nothing, Act II Sc.I)

5. Literary Analysis In “Much Ado About Nothing”, William Shakespeare’s characters, Beatrice and Benedick are in a war with words and are constantly trying to outwit each other with sharp tongues and stinging comebacks. Wit is used heavily in the entire play because both characters are trying to outsmart and ridicule the other the most. The passage shows how Beatrice is trying to abuse her competitor by describing him as a poor loser.

6. Literary References “I was with Hercules and Cadmus once When in a wood of Crete they bay'd the bear With hounds of Sparta: never did I hear Such gallant chiding; for, besides the groves, The skies, the fountains, every region near Seem'd all one mutual cry: I never heard So musical a discord, such sweet thunder.” (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Act IV Sc. I)

7. Literary Analysis In “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, by William Shakespeare, has a concoction of confusing characters, scenes, and scenarios. In this particular scene, Hippolyta, the queen, responds to her husband, Theseus, with a witty comment about one of her previous encounters with heroes. This literary device helps develop the character’s personality. The airy, kind of random comment reflects the rest of the storyline of the play.

8. Literary References “Tarry a little; there is something else. This bond doth give thee here no jot of blood; The words expressly are 'a pound of flesh:' Take then thy bond, take thou thy pound of flesh; But, in the cutting it, if thou dost shed One drop of Christian blood, thy lands and goods Are, by the laws of Venice, confiscate Unto the state of Venice.”(The Merchant of Venice, Act IV, Sc. I)

9. Literary Analysis In “The Merchant of Venice”, the setting of the passage shows one of the main characters, Antonio, about to be killed for “a pound of flesh” that is required by the Jew, Shylock. This conflict is resolved by Portia, wife of Antonio’s friend, Bassiano, as she is disguised as a learned doctor of law. This moment of wisdom turns the entire plot of the story around and helps finish the play with a happy ending.

10. Work Cited Shakespeare, William. “The Merchant of Venice”. Oxford:Oxford University Press, 1979. Shakespeare, William. “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”. Oxford:Oxford University Press, 1979. Shakespeare, William. “Much Ado About Nothing”. Oxford:Oxford University Press, 1979.