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The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet
Literary Terms Vocabulary
33
English
9th Grade
12/16/2009

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Cards

Term
Protagonist
Definition
central (main) character that drives the action [Romeo, Juliet]
Term
Antagonist
Definition
goes against, struggles against, or opposes the protagonist(s)  [fate]
Term
Prologue
Definition
the introduction [Chorus's first 'speech']
Term
Obsolete and Archaic Meanings
Definition
words no longer used in English [gavest, thou, worm's meat of me, art]
Term
Irony
Definition
a contrast between what is thought to happen/what is stated, and what really happens/is meant  [Romeo should be dead oh my heart]
Term
Dramatic Irony
Definition
when the audience or reader knows something the character doesn't [Juliet wasn't actually dead]
Term
Exposition
Definition
gives important background information [Act 1]
Term
Rising Action
Definition
events that lead to the turning point [Act 2]
Term
Turning Point/Climax/Crisis
Definition
point of great tension that determines the end  [Act 3]
Term
Falling Action
Definition
all actions in the play after the turning point [Act 4]
Term
Resolution
Definition
outcome of the conflict [Act 5]
Term
Allusion
Definition
a reference to a person, place, or event in another work of literature
Term
Classical Allusion
Definition
a reference to ancient heros and/or things in (greek) mythology  [Tybalt's fiery chariot]
Term
Juxtaposition of People - Foil
Definition
a character serving as a contrast for another [Benvolio & Tybalt, Mercutio & Romeo, Nurse & Lady Capulet]
Term
Juxtaposition of Words - Oxymoron
Definition
two+ words put together that 'oppose' each other [when Romeo describes how he feels when he's lovesick]
Term
Juxtaposition of Actions
Definition
placing sceenes side by side for contrast [Act 2 Scene 6 (marrige/loveydovey) --> Act 3 Scene 1 (the street murders)]
Term
Paradox
Definition
a statement that appears self contradictory but reveals a truth [Shakespeare associating death & night with love]
Term
Personification
Definition
language in which an animal, object, or idea acts as/like a person
Term
Metaphor
Definition
a comparison of two unlike things
Term
Simile
Definition
a comparison of two unlike things using like, as, resembling, etc...
Term
Imagery
Definition
language appealing to your senses
Term
Pun
Definition
a humorus use of language suggesting two or more meanings [the opening dialogue of Act 1 Scene 1]
Term
Comic Relief
Definition
when something serious or sad is followed with something lighter [the servants]
Term
Theme
Definition
insight about human nature [war & peace, love & hate, death & life, notion that fate determines the outcome, how light and dark are associated with love]
Term
Forshadowing
Definition
hints or clues suggesting future actions
Term
Setting
Definition
place & time
Term
Shakespearean Sonnet
Definition
14 lines, divided in quatrains, ends with a closing couplet, has a rhyme scheme of ABABCDCDEFEFGG, has a consistent rythm, uses iambic pentameter
Term
Soliloquy
Definition
a speech (usually lengthy) in which a character that is alone on stage expresses his thoughts aloud [Juliet in Act 4 before drinking the potion]
Term
Monologue
Definition
a long uninterrupted speech spoken by one character in the presence of others [Mercutio's dream of Queen Mab]
Term
Aside
Definition
words spoken in an undertone not intended to be heard by the other characters ["Shall I hear more, or shall I speak at this"]
Term
Tragedy
Definition
when the central character meets a disastrous end (doesn't have to be death)
Term
Characterization
Definition

direct:  when the writer tells us directly  {"Hi Mrs. Thomson, I'm Rachel and I am hard-working, kind, intelligent..."}

indirect:  a reader must put clues together to realize what a character is like [Romeo being immature]

 

the four methods of indirect:  by how others feel or react to them, revealing a character's private thought, revealing through the character's actions and/or words, and by a character's physical appearance

Term
Juxtaposition
Definition
placing things side by side for contrast
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