Literary Terms and Figures of Speech Quiz

Literary Terms and Figures of Speech

• Epic hero: A character in mythology who embodies the ideals of a culture.
• Trojan War: A legendary conflict between the Greeks and the city of Troy.
• Chivalry: The medieval knightly system with its religious, moral, and social code.
• Renaissance: Meaning "rebirth," it was the period that followed Europe's Middle Ages.
• Shakespeare: A renowned English playwright and poet known for his contributions to literature (150 sonnets & 37 plays).
• Mythology: A collection of myths, especially one belonging to a particular religious or cultural tradition.
• Medieval history: The history of Europe during the Middle Ages, characterized by feudalism and the rise of kingdoms..
• Arthurian legend: A body of stories and medieval romances centering on the legendary King Arthur and his knights.
• 100 Years War: A conflict (1337-1453) between the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of France.
• Homer's epics: The Iliad and The Odyssey, studied worldwide as classics.
• Fall of Rome: The decline of the Roman Empire, leading to disorder in the former empire.
• Bubonic Plague: Also known as the Black Death, it devastated Europe, killing approximately 1/3 of the population.
• Mount Olympus: A real mountain, imagined by the Greeks as the home of their gods.
• Greek myths: Stories explaining nature, centered around worshipped Greek gods.
• Ancient Greece contributions: Significant achievements in architecture, philosophy, and storytelling.
• The Iliad and The Odyssey: Epic poems by Homer.
• City-states: Rival Greek political entities lacking unity.
• Athens: A prominent ancient Greek city-state.
• Medieval Age: A 1000-year period (fall of Rome to the Renaissance) characterized by famine, war, and plague.
• Feudalism: A hierarchical social and governmental structure (king -> nobles -> knights -> serfs).
• Castles: Defensive structures providing protection.
• Knights: Skilled warriors adhering to the code of chivalry.
• King Arthur: A legendary hero, possibly based on a historical figure.
• Camelot: Arthur's castle.
• Queen Guinevere: Arthur's wife.
• Excalibur: Arthur's sword.
• Sir Lancelot: Arthur's best friend.
• The Lady of the Lake: Fairy who provided Arthur with his sword.
• Merlin: Arthur's advisor and magician.
• The Sword in the Stone: Magical test to identify the rightful king.
• The Knights of the Round Table: Knights of equal rank.
• Renaissance (Elizabethan Age): Revival of knowledge through rediscovery of Greek and Roman texts.
• Leonardo da Vinci: Renaissance artist.
• Galileo Galilei: Renaissance scientist.
• Dante: Author of The Divine Comedy.
• Odysseus: The hero of the Odyssey, who came up with the Trojan horse.
• Greek Empire: Eventually conquered by Rome.

Shakespearean Drama

• Shakespeare: Greatest English poet, playwright (150 sonnets & 37 plays).
• Tragedy: Dramatic genre involving characters with flaws leading to downfall. (e.g., Romeo and Juliet)
• Drama: Plays emphasizing emotional performance ("plays").
• Act: Play, plots unfold, spans locations and time.
• Scene: Short encounter, different locations, new sets.
• Dialogue: Conversation between characters.
• Monologue: Long speech by one character; one directional.
• Soliloquy: Long speech by a character alone, revealing thoughts.
• Aside: Private comment to audience, hidden from others.
• Plot: Sequence of events.
• Exposition: Introduces time, place, characters.
• Complication: When problems arise.
• Rising action: Steps for characters to solve conflict.
• Climax: Crucial moment of decision for a character.
• Falling action: Events leading to final scene.
• Catastrophe: Tragic ending (death or ruin)
• Catharsis: Emotional release for the audience.
• Adversary: Enemy/opponent.
• Discreet: Showing good judgement/perceptive.
• Nuptial: Wedding/marriage.
• Obscured: Hidden/darkened.
• Pernicious: Harmful/destructive.
• Posterity: Future generations.
• Profane: Dishonor/make impure.
• Propagate: Reproduce/increase.
• Purged: Eliminated/expelled.
• Oxymoron: Contradictory words (e.g., cruel kindness).
• Allusion: Reference to something known (names, events, literature, myths).

Romeo and Juliet

• Benvolio: Will help Romeo change/die trying.
• Paris: Wants to marry Juliet.
• Romeo's motive: Rosaline will be there.
• Juliet's age: 13.
• Nurse's opinion of Paris: Thinks he is handsome.
• PUN: Wordplay with two spellings/meanings.
• PUN EXAMPLE: Comparing soles (shoes) and soul.
• SIMILE EXAMPLE: Comparing love to a thorn.
• Mercutio's quote: Dreamers often lie.
• Mercutio's speech: Long speech on dreams.
• Romeo's fear: Death if he goes to the party.
• Dramatic irony: Reader/audience knows what character doesn't.
• Hyperbole: Exaggeration (often using "-er/-est").
• Tybalt's reaction: Angry; calls for a sword.
• HYPERBOLE EXAMPLE: Describing Juliet as brighter than a torch.
• ANALOGY EXAMPLE: Comparing Juliet to a dove among crows.
• Juliet's love declaration: Will die if Romeo is married.
• Juliet's intended marriage: To Paris, not Romeo.
• Juliet's word completes: "My only love sprung from my only hate."
• "Scolded" meaning: Rebuked/chidden.
• "Discourses" meaning: Talks, speaks.
• "Intercession" meaning: Action on someone else's behalf.
• "Lamentable" meaning: Unfortunate, regrettable.
• "Perjuries" meaning: Lies.
• "Rancor" meaning: Hatred, hostility.
• Romeo learns of the ball: An illiterate servant asks him to read the list of guests.
• Initial motive for Romeo's party attendance: Romeo wants to see Rosaline.