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The elegy is a lament, a lyric of ______, or an utterance of personal bereavement and sorrow.
The elegy is a lament, a lyric of ______, or an utterance of personal bereavement and sorrow.
mourning
The pastoral elegy represents the poet as a ______ mourning the death of a fellow shepherd.
The pastoral elegy represents the poet as a ______ mourning the death of a fellow shepherd.
shepherd
The Greek poet ______ was the first to write Odes in ancient Greece.
The Greek poet ______ was the first to write Odes in ancient Greece.
Pindar
The word 'ode' is simply the Greek word for '______'.
The word 'ode' is simply the Greek word for '______'.
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Two important forms of the ode are the Pindaric Ode and the ______ Ode.
Two important forms of the ode are the Pindaric Ode and the ______ Ode.
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Pindaric Odes were generally written in honour of the gods or to sing the ______ or victories of rulers or athletes.
Pindaric Odes were generally written in honour of the gods or to sing the ______ or victories of rulers or athletes.
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An English Ode is defined as a lyric poem of elaborate metrical structure, solemn in tone, and usually taking the form of ______.
An English Ode is defined as a lyric poem of elaborate metrical structure, solemn in tone, and usually taking the form of ______.
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The pastoral elegy is often restricted to a lament over the ______.
The pastoral elegy is often restricted to a lament over the ______.
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Milton's 'Paradise Lost' has a cosmic sweep and deals with events of interest to all ______.
Milton's 'Paradise Lost' has a cosmic sweep and deals with events of interest to all ______.
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A Mock-epic is a small narrative poem that employs the machinery and conventions of epic proper to treat ______ themes.
A Mock-epic is a small narrative poem that employs the machinery and conventions of epic proper to treat ______ themes.
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The ancient Mock-epic 'The Battle of the Frog and Mice' is a parody of Homer's ______.
The ancient Mock-epic 'The Battle of the Frog and Mice' is a parody of Homer's ______.
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An Idyll is a description of some scene or event that is striking, picturesque, and ______ in itself.
An Idyll is a description of some scene or event that is striking, picturesque, and ______ in itself.
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Robert Browning is the most important writer of dramatic ______ in the English language.
Robert Browning is the most important writer of dramatic ______ in the English language.
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The poet's identity is merged with that of the dramatic ______, allowing an imagined character to express thoughts.
The poet's identity is merged with that of the dramatic ______, allowing an imagined character to express thoughts.
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Drama is a mode of fictional representation through ______ and performance.
Drama is a mode of fictional representation through ______ and performance.
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An Idyll derives its name from the Greek word meaning 'a little ______'.
An Idyll derives its name from the Greek word meaning 'a little ______'.
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Aristotle argues that the downfall of an essentially good person stirs our ______.
Aristotle argues that the downfall of an essentially good person stirs our ______.
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In a true tragedy, the hero's demise often results from a personal ______.
In a true tragedy, the hero's demise often results from a personal ______.
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The famous play 'Oedipus Rex' is written by the playwright ______.
The famous play 'Oedipus Rex' is written by the playwright ______.
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William Shakespeare is widely regarded as one of the greatest ______ in the English language.
William Shakespeare is widely regarded as one of the greatest ______ in the English language.
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'Hamlet' is considered one of the greatest ______ tragedies in the world.
'Hamlet' is considered one of the greatest ______ tragedies in the world.
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The ghost in 'Hamlet' claims to be the true spirit of Hamlet's ______.
The ghost in 'Hamlet' claims to be the true spirit of Hamlet's ______.
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Hamlet is mourning the death of his beloved ______.
Hamlet is mourning the death of his beloved ______.
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Claudius committed murder to claim both queen and ______ for himself.
Claudius committed murder to claim both queen and ______ for himself.
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In a romantic comedy, the two lovers are typically young, likeable, and well-________.
In a romantic comedy, the two lovers are typically young, likeable, and well-________.
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A wedding-bells, fairy-tale-style happy ending is practically mandatory in a romantic ________.
A wedding-bells, fairy-tale-style happy ending is practically mandatory in a romantic ________.
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Satirical comedy focuses on human vice and ________.
Satirical comedy focuses on human vice and ________.
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Black comedy treats taboo subjects with ________ or humorous manner.
Black comedy treats taboo subjects with ________ or humorous manner.
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Samuel Beckett's 'Waiting for Godot' is a notable example of ________ comedy.
Samuel Beckett's 'Waiting for Godot' is a notable example of ________ comedy.
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Drama sketches different personalities and represents a wide variety of ________.
Drama sketches different personalities and represents a wide variety of ________.
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The seven elements of drama include theme, plot, character, and ________.
The seven elements of drama include theme, plot, character, and ________.
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Shakespeare's 'Much Ado About Nothing' is an example of a romantic ________.
Shakespeare's 'Much Ado About Nothing' is an example of a romantic ________.
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Hamlet vows ______, and thus begins either his slow spiral into madness or his carefully planned act to appear insane.
Hamlet vows ______, and thus begins either his slow spiral into madness or his carefully planned act to appear insane.
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Arthur Miller is best known for the play '______ of a Salesman' (1949).
Arthur Miller is best known for the play '______ of a Salesman' (1949).
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______ Williams was a famous American playwright known for 'A Streetcar Named Desire'.
______ Williams was a famous American playwright known for 'A Streetcar Named Desire'.
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One of Oscar Wilde's famous comedies is '______ of Being Earnest'.
One of Oscar Wilde's famous comedies is '______ of Being Earnest'.
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Farce is a light dramatic work with exaggerated characters and highly unlikely ______ situations.
Farce is a light dramatic work with exaggerated characters and highly unlikely ______ situations.
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Romantic ______ is perhaps the most popular comic form on stage and screen.
Romantic ______ is perhaps the most popular comic form on stage and screen.
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Shakespeare's '______ of Errors' is an example of the farce genre.
Shakespeare's '______ of Errors' is an example of the farce genre.
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Arthur Miller was born in ______, New York City.
Arthur Miller was born in ______, New York City.
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Charles Dickens was a hugely famous English ______ known for novels like 'Oliver Twist' and 'A Christmas Carol'.
Charles Dickens was a hugely famous English ______ known for novels like 'Oliver Twist' and 'A Christmas Carol'.
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Ebenezer Scrooge changed after his experiences with the ______ that visited him.
Ebenezer Scrooge changed after his experiences with the ______ that visited him.
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A static character does not ______ over time and remains primarily the same throughout a story.
A static character does not ______ over time and remains primarily the same throughout a story.
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The salesman in the example is a ______ character because he remains disorganized throughout the story.
The salesman in the example is a ______ character because he remains disorganized throughout the story.
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A ______ character is often portrayed as complex, conflicted, and contradictory.
A ______ character is often portrayed as complex, conflicted, and contradictory.
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Stock characters are often ______ in certain types of stories and are easily recognized by audiences.
Stock characters are often ______ in certain types of stories and are easily recognized by audiences.
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A ______ character does not show any type of growth or change by the end of the story.
A ______ character does not show any type of growth or change by the end of the story.
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In literature, a character that is instantly recognizable due to their repeated use in storytelling is known as a ______ character.
In literature, a character that is instantly recognizable due to their repeated use in storytelling is known as a ______ character.
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Study Notes
Literature Classification
- Literature is any written work, etymologically deriving from Latin "writing formed with letters." Some definitions include spoken or sung texts. More narrowly, it's writing with literary merit.
- Literature's creation requires both the power of the individual and the power of the moment; the man isn't sufficient without the occasion.
- Literature is as old as speech, growing out of human need and, in essence, becoming increasingly needed.
Poetry
- A poet is fundamentally a person passionately in love with language.
- A poem often begins with an emotional impulse, a feeling of wrong, homesickness, or lovesickness.
- Poetry originates from emotion reflected upon and refined.
- Immature poets imitate; mature poets steal.
Types: Subjective-Objective
- Subjective Poetry comes from the poet's own thoughts and feelings, expressed directly.
- Objective Poetry uses external objects, events, and observations as subject matter, with the poet acting as a detached observer.
The Lyric
- A lyric poem, typically short, emphasizes simplicity in language and treatment.
- It often focuses on a single emotion, generally expressed in the first few lines, with an emphasis on musicality.
- Employing various poetic devices, lyrics enhance their musical quality.
The Elegy
- Elegies express sorrow, woe, or despair.
- Commonly, they are laments for the dead, but can also mourn lost love, the past, or other losses.
- Elegies require sincerity of emotion and expression.
The Pastoral Elegy
- A specialized form of elegy.
- The word 'pastoral' comes from the Greek word for 'shepherd', and the form often depicts a shepherd mourning the loss of another.
- Ancient Greek poets, like Theocritus, Bion, and Moschus, were significant practitioners. Also, Roman poets like Virgil, and in English literature, Spenser's Astrophel, Milton's Lycidas, Shelley's Adonais, and Arnold's Thyrsis and Scholar Gipsy.
The Ode
- An elevated lyric form, more elaborate than a simple lyric.
- Originating in ancient Greece.
- The Greek poet Pindar is considered the first ode writer, and the Roman poet Horace notably adapted the form.
- Odes typically take the form of a direct address to a person, object, or concept.
The Sonnet
- A fourteen-line lyric poem with a specific rhyme scheme and structure.
- The Petrarchan sonnet divides into an octave and a sestet; typically structured with an abbaabba rhyme scheme in the octave that often introduces a problem, question, or image then the sestet will provide an answer, resolve, or concluding reflection.
- The Shakespearean or English sonnet has three quatrains (four-line stanzas) and a final couplet (two-line stanza). Typically structured with an ABAB CDCD EFEF GG rhyme scheme.
- The Petrarchan form originated in 16th century Italy with the poet Petrarch, while the English form emerged in 16th-century England with poets such as Sir Thomas Wyatt and Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey.
The Ballad
- A short story told in verse, stemming from a song performed to accompany dancing.
- Ballads can be further categorized as 'popular ballads' of oral tradition, or 'literary ballads', which are more conscious imitations of older forms.
The Epic
- A long narrative poem, usually about a hero or significant event.
- Epics often involve heroic deeds, national figures, or important issues; supernatural elements are frequently present.
- Homer's Iliad and Odyssey are important examples.
The Mock-Epic
- A parody of an epic, using its conventions (style, tone, structure, etc.) to depict trivial subjects humorously.
- Examples include works by Homer, Swift, and Pope.
The Idyll
- A short work of prose or verse, picturesque and complete in itself.
- Often found as a part of a larger work, or considered as a standalone piece.
- Tennyson's Idylls of the King, Browning's Dramatic Idylls are examples.
Drama
- Drama imitates action through dialogue and performance. Drama forms can be presented on stage, television, film, or radio.
- Drama consists of several different types of plays each with their own characteristics.
- Subgenres include comedies and tragedies, which can be further subdivided.
- The structure of a play typically involves a plot, characters, dialogue, and theme.
Comedy
- A light dramatic work, often humorous, with a happy resolution..
- Subgenres of comedy include farce (emphasizing exaggerated characters, situations, and humor), romantic comedy (often centered on the love story), and satire (focuses on criticising human folly or vice).
Tragedy
- A dramatic work depicting the downfall of a noble character.
- Tragedy often explores themes of fate, flaw, and suffering.
- Characteristics of tragedy include the downfall of a protagonist who is not inherently evil, a "fatal flaw or hamartia" that causes that downfall, along with suffering, and recognition or reversal of fortune.
Types of Drama (Continued)
- Melodrama: highly emotional and sensational, with characters typically of a single dimension, usually simple or stereotypical figures
- Musical drama: uses music, songs, and dance to tell a story.
- Prose: drama written in ordinary language, rather than verse.
- Novel: A long narrative work of fiction in prose form.
- Realistic novel: a realistic portrayal of characters and their lives, emphasizing realistic motivations.
- Picaresque novel: describes the episodic adventures of a disreputable or comedic character.
- Historical novel: sets a narrative in an earlier period.
- Epistolary novel: tells a story through letters.
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**Bildungsroman:** focuses on a character's development from childhood to adulthood. -
**Gothic novel:** featuring mysterious settings, supernatural elements, and suspense. -
**Autobiographical novel:** is based on the author's personal life.
Stream of Consciousness / Psychological Novel
- Focuses on the inner thoughts, feelings, and experiences of characters.
- Often characterized by a lack of traditional plot structure and linear progression of time and events.
- Subgenres under this category will include social, political, dystopian, or crime novels.
Social Fiction/Political Novel
- Depicts the societal and political aspects of a character's life, portraying a social or political commentary or commentary of the social and political context in which the characters operate.
- Often address issues of political power, societal inequalities, and cultural concerns.
Dystopian Novel
- Portrays an oppressive and often futuristic society; depicts a repressive regime.
Short Story
- A brief narrative work, typically focusing on a single plot, central character, and a particular theme.
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Description
Test your knowledge on various forms of poetry, including elegies and odes. This quiz covers key historical poets and the characteristics of different poetic styles. Dive into the world of lyricism and narrative poetry.
