Unit 1 Framing Western Literature
allegory
a literary device in which characters represent concepts, such as love, patience, or deceit
allusion
a reference to a work of art, literature, or to a historical or popular figure or incident that is used to create meaning in a text
ambiguity
a literary device that allows for a single subject to be interpreted from several different angles
anaphora
repetition of the same word or phrase at the beginning of several sentences or clauses
anthropology
the study of human development of humans, including Christian theology on humans in contrast with God
aphorism
is a brief and often humorous statement of truth or opinion, such as “a watched pot never boils”
Aristotelianism
a school of thinking that relies on scientific or pragmatic experiences; followers believe humans perceive reality through physical objects and experiences with those objects
axiom
is an accepted principle or rule
blasphemer
a person who blatantly speaks out against God or demonstrates a complete lack of respect for God
canto
the major division of an epic poem, a term coined by Dante
clergy
the group ordained to perform religious duties, especially in the Christian church
close narrator
a term used to describe a narrator who participates in the plot of the story he or she narrates
comedy
in classical literary terms, a work that ends happily, as opposed to a tragedy
connotation
describes the emotional weight carried by a word; not the literal meaning, but a “shade” of meaning
contrapasso
principle of The Divine Comedy in which the punishment suits the crime, either in it being similar to the sin committed or the mirror image of that sin
credibility
used to measure how trustworthy something or someone is
diction
the author’s specific choice of words
distant narrator
a term used to describe a narrator who remains outside of the events of a story
emotional realism
a term used to describe the work of artists and writers who attempt to depict human emotion in a truthful, or realistic, manner
epic
a long narrative poem divided into multiple sections that usually relates the story of a heroic figure
epic poem
a long, narrative poem about an important event that usually features a hero
estate
a social or political class or category of people
existential
relating to existence
explicit
a word used to describe information that is communicated in a straightforward way; the literal meaning
framed narrative
a technique in which one story introduces another story or series of stories
framing device
literary method through which multiple narratives are related within a unifying story
glutton
a person who overindulges in something; typically, this term applies to overindulgence in food or drink, but generally speaking can be applied toward an overindulgence in anything
heretic
a person who holds and practices beliefs that oppose Christianity (in Dante’s time, “Christianity” would solely refer to the Catholic Church)
hypocrite
a person who says one thing and does the opposite of what s/he says should be done
imagery
the use of descriptive language that appeals to the reader's senses
implicit
a word used to describe information that is suggested but not stated outright
inferences
ideas that are reached through interpreting the implicit meanings of a text
irony
literary device in which the intended meaning differs from the literal definition
monotheism
the belief that there is only one God (as opposed to believing in multiple gods)
mood
the atmosphere of the story as experienced by the reader; how the story makes the reader feel
morality tale
a type of story from the medieval era that educated audiences about Christian virtues
narrative mode
the methods used to tell a story to the reader
narrator
the person who tells the story
nobility
the class of people holding hereditary or honorary titles who constitute the aristocracy in a country
pilgrimage
a journey taken by a follower of a religion to a shrine or sacred location, often for the purpose of atoning or seeking penance
sarcasm
the often harsh use of irony to express scorn or contempt, usually expressed through the tone of one's voice
satire
literary form or technique in which humor or irony is used to criticize people's stupidity or other shortcomings
Scholasticism
philosophical teachings based on Aristotle and the Church fathers, such as Thomas Aquinas; followers believe humans should use reasoning and inference to analyze reality
sensory language
poetic language that appeals to one of the senses
symbol
an image or figure in a literary work that stands for or symbolizes something else, such as a quality, a principle, a person, or an institution
syntax
the organization of words to form sentences and paragraphs
tercet
a three-line stanza of poetry
terza rima
the form of the Divine Comedy, which uses three-line stanzas that follow the pattern aba, bcb, cdc, and so on
theme
the overarching idea of a literary work
tone
the author’s attitude about a subject within his writing
unreliable narrator
narrator in a literary work whose credibility is questionable or whose perceptions of the story's plot or characters are skewed or biased
word choice
a literary device that describes how the words a writer chooses help to create meaning and tone
Unit 2 Humanism
absolutes
ideas that cannot be doubted or called into question
abstract
a summary of the content
aesthetic
a term used to refer to ideas about what constitutes beauty
allusion
a figure of speech that refers explicitly or implicitly to a person, place, thing, object, or concept
aside
brief statement of a character’s inner thoughts in a drama in words that are heard by the audience but not by other characters onstage
bias
unfair prejudice in favor of or against a person, thing, or group
biographical information
significant details about an individual
carpe diem
“seize the day” in Latin
catharsis
in poetry, a turn or transition from one position, state, stage, subject, concept, etc., to another
character analysis
a type of literary analysis that focuses on the development of a character over the course of a literary work
classical
an adjective used to describe art, literature, philosophy, and scientific styles that developed in Ancient Greece or Rome
climax
the moment in a plot when the tension is highest
comic relief
a humorous scene set within a tragedy to briefly lighten the mood
conflict
the struggle, interior or exterior, that the protagonist of a literary work confronts
connotation
an idea or feeling that a word suggests
couplet
a pair of successive lines of verse, especially a pair that rhyme and are of the same length
double entendre
a word or expression used in a given context so that it can be understood in two ways, especially when one meaning is risqué
dramatic irony
a contrast between what a character thinks and what the reader or audience knows to be true
exposition
the part of the plot that reveals the background behind the main plot, or what occurred preceding the current action
external conflict
a struggle by the protagonist against a person or persons or forces outside him or her
feminist perspective
a point of view that analyzes individual behavior and social structures in light of differences in male and female attitudes and opportunities
foil
a character with a situation similar to that of the lead character who serves as a thematic contrast
foreshadowing
an incident or description that suggests events to come later in a literary work
Holy Sonnets
a specific group of nineteen sonnets Donne wrote about faith and spiritual matters
humanists
those who place focus on life in the “here” and “now,” rather than the afterlife
iambic pentameter
the rhythm of a Petrarchan sonnet—lines consist of ten syllables each, with the accent on the even-numbered syllables
internal conflict
a struggle within the protagonist, as when he or she tries to overcome a character flaw or a destructive tendency
interpretation
determination of meaning in a text
juxtaposition
placing characters, scenes, actions, or descriptions in close proximity to show similarities and differences
lens essay
a type of literary analysis that requires you to analyze a literary work in light of a particular point of view
liberal
generous
metaphor
a figure of speech a comparison of two unlike things that does not use like or as
metaphysical
poetry focused on real life and real life situations, that feature far-fetched metaphors called conceits
metaphysical conceit
an over-the-top, almost tenuous metaphor or comparison
meter
the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in a line of poetry
motivation
the reason a character has for acting in a particular way
octave
the first eight lines of the Petrarchan sonnet, in which the topic is introduced and the problem is established
online catalog
collection of sources available from the library
pace
the tempo of incidents in the plot of a literary work
paradigm
pattern or way of thinking
paradox
a literary device that presents two events or ideas that seem impossible to exist together, and then shows that it makes sense in some way
paradox poem
a type of poem that juxtaposes two things or ideas that appear contradictory but within the context of the poem may in fact both hold true
pastoral
a work that idealizes the simple shepherd's life in the country, stemming from the Latin word pastor, meaning shepherd.
pastoral poem
a type of poem that depicts and/or focuses on shepherds and rural life; common themes of pastoral poetry are love, death, country life, and criticism of politics
patronage
in poetry, a turn or transition from one position, state, stage, subject, concept, etc., to another
personification
objects and things given human qualities
problem play
a label given to a few of Shakespeare’s plays because they lack the basic characteristics of comedy or tragedy, have a somber mood, and have morally ambiguous characters
protagonist
a lead character in a fictional text
quatrain
a type of stanza, or a complete poem, consisting of four lines
research
information gained from searching a specific topic
research article
a report that discusses the results of original research
research question
core of the research and focus of the study
resolution
the section of the plot following the climax, when the conflicts are resolved and loose ends are tied
revenge tragedy
a popular form of Elizabethan drama that centered on the central character’s desire to exact revenge for a crime committed against him or his family and ended in many deaths
rhyme scheme
the pattern of rhyme between lines of a poem
rhythm
the sound pattern created in a literary work
sarcasm
irony used in a mocking or mean way
secular humanism
in poetry, a turn or transition from one position, state, stage, subject, concept, etc., to another
secularism
a movement that places focus upon mortal men, rather than God
sestet
the final six lines of the Petrarchan sonnet, in which the problem is reflected upon and resolved
Shakespearean tragedy
a play depicting the fall and death of a prominent character
simile
a figure of speech; a comparison of two unlike things that uses like or as
skeptic
someone who questions what others say is true
soliloquy
long speech revealing a character’s inner thoughts in a drama in words that are heard by the audience but not by other characters onstage
sonnet
a poem of fourteen lines, usually in iambic pentameter, with rhymes arranged according to one of certain definite schemes, being in the strict or Italian form divided into a major group of 8 lines followed by a minor group of six lines, and in a common English form into three quatrains followed by a couplet
source
a story from history, folk literature, or other author from which an author draws plots or characters when creating a new work
stanza
a division of a poem consisting of a series of lines arranged together in a usually recurring pattern of meter and rhyme; a verse
symbolism
the use of objects or actions to represent abstract ideas
theme
the subject or subjects that a literary work explores
thesis statement
a statement that identifies a topic and a specific argument
tone
an author’s attitude toward his or her subject; an author’s tone can, for example, be serious, playful, mysterious, or nonchalant.
tone
the feeling of the text, e.g., serious, humorous, satiric, etc.
topic
a well-defined subject that is the focus of your research
tragic flaw
a fundamental problem in a character that results in the character undergoing suffering
tragic hero
a person of high social position who suffers a reversal of fortune in part because of a tragic flaw and dies but gains insight or a deeper humanity as a result of suffering
transience
lasting for a very short amount of time
twists
unexpected turns in a story
verbal irony
when someone says one thing but means the opposite
vernacular
the native language spoken by the common people of a country or region
volta
the turning point at the beginning of the sestet, where the poet transitions from the problem to reflection and resolution
Unit 3 The Quest for Knowledge
academic language
language spoken in academic settings
affix
letter or letters added to the beginning or end of a word, root, or stem, or the middle of a word, to modify its meaning
allegory
characters, figures, or events that represent abstract ideas or principles
alliteration
the repeated use of the same consonant sound at the beginnings of several words in the same passage
archetypes
instantly recognizable and recurring symbols, persons, places, or things in a piece of literature; archetypes include tragic heroes, clowns, wise men/sages, and evil forces
argument
suggests author’s position about a subject and provides reasoning for the position
Aristotelian
– reflecting the thinking of the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle
authoritarianism
absolute obedience to authority, as compared to individual freedom
author's purpose
the author’s reason for writing; what the author hopes to achieve through writing his or her text
burlesque
satirical device in which an author exaggerates language to create a discrepancy between the characters and the words used
Calvinist Theology
a theology popularized by John Calvin which states that man is saved by God through grace and proposes the idea of predestination
central idea
the main idea of a text; the overarching message that the text communicates
claim
statement of the author’s beliefs
comic relief
a technique of providing something funny in an otherwise serious moment
commentary
opinion or analysis of a topic
comparing and contrasting
identifying how two or more things are alike and different
criticism
disapproval of something based on faults found or perceived
deism
philosophy that removes superstition and dogma from monotheistic religion
doctrine
central beliefs of a church
echoes
incidents, characters, or symbols that repeat those appearing earlier in the work
egalitarianism
a philosophy of social equality
Enlightenment
the philosophical movement originating in seventeenth-century Europe emphasizing the use of reason and science to challenge oppression, religious tradition, and dogma
eudaimonia
in ethics, a theory that happiness or personal well-being is the chief good for mankind
evidence
facts, reasons, and other information used to support logic
explicit meaning
a meaning that can be obtained from a surface-level reading of the text; a literal meaning
external conflict
when events or the actions of other people create a challenge for a character
farce
a comic dramatic work using buffoonery and horseplay
hyperbole
the use of grossly overstated language to emphasize a characteristic of something or someone
implicit meaning
a meaning that is arrived at by reading between the lines in a text; a meaning that is hinted at, but not stated outright
internal conflict
something the character feels or thinks that creates discord or creates a challenge for the character
irony
a rhetorical device in which the literal meaning of what is said is the opposite of what is meant, expected, or apparently true
juxtaposition
the literary device of placing two elements (ideas, characters, or events) together in order to show a comparison or contrast between them
mechanistic
a philosophical approach which views physical phenomena as the result of physical processes
mock epic
a humorous version of an epic poem, designed to make fun of some aspect of society
motif
an element that is threaded throughout a literary work and helps to develop a major theme of the work
morality play
a play that teaches a moral lesson through the use of allegorical characters
necromancy
the study of magic
organizational strategies
tools that allow you to better organize your thoughts when structuring an argument
organizational structure
the logical method of arranging your ideas in writing
paradox
a statement or situation that contradicts itself or has two seemingly true, but opposing, aspects
personification
giving human qualities to non-human things in order to reveal something to the reader
philosophical ideas
ideas that cannot be proven or disproven by science; abstract ideas, such as religious beliefs
prefix
letter or letters added to the beginning of a word that changes the meaning of the word
reason
general statement that supports a claim
reductio ad absurdum
satirical technique in which an artist or author ostensibly agrees with the ideas he or she seeks to criticize and follows these ideas to ridiculous extremes
Renaissance Man
a term applied to individuals during the Renaissance who had a wide range of knowledge and worked to excel in many different fields and artistic endeavors.
rhetoric
the skillful use of language to communicate an idea to the reader
rhetorical devices
the use of language intended to have a specific effect
root word
initial word before adding a suffix and/or prefix
satire
a genre of literature and other art forms in which the flaws of people, institutions, and society are ridiculed, typically using irony and sarcasm
Scholasticism
a medieval system of philosophy based on the works of early Church fathers and on Aristotle which used reason to explore a range of issues
science fiction
a genre of fiction involving elements such as a futuristic time period or technology, dystopian society, space creatures, or space travel, often to comment on the contemporary society
slapstick
comedy based on deliberately clumsy actions and humorously embarrassing events
social language
language spoken with peers in social settings
soliloquy
long speech revealing a character’s inner thoughts in a drama in words that are heard by the audience but not by other characters on the stage
suffix
letter or letters added to the end of a word that changes the part of speech and meaning of the root word
tragic hero
the protagonist in a tragedy who is often felled by his own weaknesses or faults
traveller's tale
a story in which the protagonist gains knowledge and insight through the experience of travel
verbal irony
when an author means the opposite of what he or she writes