Poetry Analysis Fundamentals

A poet's choice of words.

A direct comparison using "like", "as", "than", etc.

An indirect comparison where one thing is said to be another.

A literary device that uses words that mimic sounds.

The literal dictionary meaning of a word.

The associations and implications of a word beyond its literal meaning.

A poet's attitude towards the subject matter.

Words that are used in everyday conversation.

The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginnings of nearby words or within them.

The repetition of vowel sounds in nearby words.

Lines in a poem that are pleasing to the ear.

Lines in a poem that are discordant and difficult to pronounce.

The repetition of the last stressed vowel and the sounds following it.

The main division of a play; indicated by lowering a curtain or dimming lights.

A secondary storyline that reinforces or contrasts with the main plot.

The background information in a play that provides context.

A character who contrasts with the protagonist, highlighting their traits.

The point in the play where the action reaches its peak tension and conflict.

A dramatic convention in neoclassical theater where the play's action is limited to a single location.

A dramatic convention in neoclassical theater where the play's events occur within a 24-hour period.

A dramatic convention in neoclassical theater where the play focuses on a single, clear plot line.

A type of theater that emerged in the 17th and 18th centuries, characterized by its emphasis on classical rules and conventions like the unities.

A dramatic genre popular in the 18th and 19th centuries, known for its emotional intensity, exciting plots, and often melodramatic characters.

A 14-line poem usually written in iambic pentameter.

This sonnet form is organized into two groups of four lines (quatrains) followed by two groups of three lines (tercets). The rhyme scheme is typically 'cde cde, cdc dcd'.

This sonnet form is composed of three groups of four lines (quatrains) and a final couplet (two lines). The rhyme scheme is 'abab cdcd efef gg'.

A 19-line poem with a specific pattern of five tercets (3 lines) followed by a concluding quatrain (4 lines). The rhyme scheme repeats two rhymes throughout.

A 39-line poem consisting of six 6-line stanzas followed by a 3-line envoy (concluding stanza).

A short, witty poem often written in rhyming couplets.

A light and humorous poem with five lines, following the rhyme scheme 'aabba'. Lines 1, 2, and 5 have three beats, while lines 3 and 4 have two beats.

Plays based on the lives of saints, often showcasing miracles and divine intervention. Think "Saint Mary Magdalene".

Plays where abstract concepts like virtues and vices are personified as characters, aiming to teach moral lessons and guide individuals towards salvation. Think "Everyman".

Trade guilds took over the role of sponsoring plays from the church, shifting performances outside of the church and incorporating worldly themes. This marked a transition towards secular drama.

The Globe theater was a large, enclosed space with a central stage, three galleries, and an area in front of the stage called the "pit" for the poor. It could accommodate up to 2500 people.

A theatrical convention where a character speaks directly to the audience, revealing their secret thoughts or plans.

A long speech delivered by a character alone on stage, revealing their inner thoughts, feelings, and motivations.

Humorous moments or scenes that break the tension in a serious play, providing comic relief and offering a change of pace.

Shakespeare's tragedies explore themes of love, loss, revenge, and the human condition. Notable examples include "Hamlet" and "Macbeth".

The use of elevated language, often more formal and elaborate, to create a heightened effect in poetry.

A literary device where human qualities are attributed to inanimate objects, animals, or abstract concepts.

A type of figurative language that uses exaggeration to create emphasis or humor.

A statement that seems contradictory or logically impossible, but upon examination reveals a deeper meaning or truth.

A figure of speech that combines two contradictory terms, creating a surprising and often thought-provoking effect.

The main subdivision of a play; a smaller scene within an act.

The playwright's instructions on how actors should move and behave on stage, including their emotions, expressions, and movements.

The conversation between characters in a play; the words they speak to each other.

A lyric poem written to commemorate someone who's dead or a serious meditative poem produced by the speaker's melancholy thoughts.

Neoclassical drama emphasized the classical unities of time, place, and action, promoting order and restraint.

A type of drama aiming to depict life realistically, focusing on everyday life, middle and lower classes, and issues like love, marriage, and work.

A form of drama where characters are seen as victims of nature's laws, overwhelmed by external forces.

A type of comedy that focuses on the humorous portrayal of the manners and social conventions of a particular group of people. It often uses wit, satire, and social commentary.

A play that aims to address and explore a contemporary social problem, presenting the protagonist's situation as a representation of the larger issue.

A tragic flaw or wrong act committed by a tragic hero or heroine, leading to their downfall.

The emotional release experienced by the audience at the end of a tragedy, resulting from the purging of emotions such as pity and fear.

The point in a tragedy where the hero's fortune takes an unexpected and dramatic turn, often leading to their downfall.

A dramatic device where the audience understands the true meaning of a situation, while the characters remain unaware, leading to irony and suspense.

A device used in Greek drama where a god or other supernatural figure is introduced into the play to resolve a seemingly unsolvable problem or provide a solution beyond human capabilities.