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The Iliad--Homer
literary terms
25
English
12th Grade
10/06/2008

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Term
Rhapsode
Definition
A poet, oral historian, and entertainer
Term
Characterization
Definition
The process by which the author reveals a character's personality
Term
Direct Characterization
Definition
An author tells or describes a character's traits/personality directly and explicitly.

ex. He is a moody and disinterested guy.
Term
Indirect Characterization
Definition
An author reveals a character's personality indirectly by:
1)what he or she says, thinks, or does
2)a description of appearance
3)the statements, thoughts, or actions of other characters
Term
Conflict
Definition
A struggle between opposing forces
Term
Internal conflict
Definition
A struggle within the character's own mind

ex. person v. self
Term
External conflict
Definition
A struggle with some outside force

ex. person v. person
person v. nature
person v. society
person v. fate
Term
Invocation
Definition
A prayer at the beginning of a poem which asks for aid or inspiration. It states the poem's theme and subject, and is dedicated to one of the nine muses.
Term
In Medias Res
Definition
In the middle of things
Term
Flashback
Definition
Information that tells the audience what took place before the narrative's current time setting
Term
Foreshadowing
Definition
Hints or clues about what will happen later on in a story
Term
Epic
Definition
A long, narrative poem about the adventures of a hero who represents the beliefs, ideals, and morals of a society
Term
Epic Simile (Homeric Simile)
Definition
Extended, elaborate comparisons which compare heroic events to simple, everyday, ordinary events that are easy to understand
Term
Stock epithet
Definition
A figure of speech; a descriptive adjective or phrase that is used repeatedly with or in place of a noun
Term
Arete
Definition
personal honor and excellence
Term
Imagery
Definition
Descriptive language that re-creates sensory experiences. Language that appeals to the five senses
Term
Irony
Definition
Literary technique that involves surprising, interesting, or amusing contradictions.
Term
Verbal irony
Definition
Sarcasm; When one thing is said but the opposite is meant
Term
Dramatic irony
Definition
When the reader or audience member is aware of something that a character in a story or on stage is not
Term
Situational irony
Definition
When there is an expectation of one thing happening and the opposite occurs
Term
Metaphor
Definition
A figure of speech; two unlike objects are compared without using like or as. One object become the other
Term
Setting
Definition
The time, place, and circumstances of a work of literature; when and where a story takes place
Term
Symbol
Definition
A sign, word, phrase, image, or other object that stands for or represents something else
Term
Suspense
Definition
The feeling of uncertainty about what will happen next
Term
Theme
Definition
The main idea, central idea, concern, or message of a work of literature
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