AP LIT - Flashcards 1
EPIC
Original Definition: A long narrative poem that recounts the adventures of heroic figures, often reflecting cultural values.
Dumbed Down: A really long poem about heroes and their adventures.
Example: Homer’s “The Odyssey” follows Odysseus as he embarks on a long journey home, facing numerous challenges and adventures.
INVOCATION OF THE MUSE
Original Definition: A request for inspiration from a Muse, often found at the beginning of epic poems.
Dumbed Down: Asking a goddess for help to write something great.
Example: In “The Odyssey,” Homer invokes the Muse at the beginning to inspire his storytelling.
IN MEDIAS RES
Original Definition: A narrative technique where the story begins in the middle of the action.
Dumbed Down: Starting a story right in the middle of the action.
Example: “The Odyssey” starts in the middle of Odysseus’s journey, with his fate unknown to the reader.
DEUS EX MACHINA
Original Definition: A plot device where an unexpected power or event resolves a seemingly hopeless situation.
Dumbed Down: A surprise fix for a problem that seems impossible to solve.
Example: In “Oedipus Rex,” the revelation of Oedipus’s true identity is a form of deus ex machina that resolves the tension of the plot.
EPIC SIMILE
Original Definition: An extended comparison that often uses “like” or “as” to draw elaborate parallels.
Dumbed Down: A long, detailed comparison that uses “like” or “as.”
Example: In “The Odyssey,” Homer describes the hero’s strength by comparing him to a lion attacking its prey.
EXTENDED METAPHOR
Original Definition: A metaphor developed over several lines or throughout a piece of writing.
Dumbed Down: A long metaphor that goes on for a while.
Example: In “The Wife of Bath,” the narrator uses the metaphor of a “battle” to describe the struggles between men and women in relationships.
EPITHET
Original Definition: A descriptive phrase expressing a quality or characteristic of a person or thing.
Dumbed Down: A nickname or phrase that describes someone or something.
Example: In “The Odyssey,” Odysseus is often referred to as “Odysseus, the cunning,” highlighting his cleverness.
TRAGIC HERO
Original Definition: A protagonist with a tragic flaw that leads to their downfall, often evoking pity and fear.
Dumbed Down: A main character who makes a big mistake and suffers because of it.
Example: Oedipus in “Oedipus Rex” is a tragic hero whose pride and determination lead him to uncover devastating truths.
HUBRIS
Original Definition: Excessive pride or self-confidence, often leading to a character’s downfall in tragedies.
Dumbed Down: Being too proud or confident, which causes trouble.
Example: The Wife of Bath exhibits a form of hubris in her belief that her experiences and views on marriage surpass societal norms.
DRAMATIC IRONY
Original Definition: A situation where the audience knows more about a character’s situation than the character does.
Dumbed Down: When the audience knows something the character doesn’t.
Example: In “The Wife of Bath,” her confidence in her ability to control men contrasts with the fact that many men are wary of her manipulations.
CATHARSIS
Original Definition: The emotional release experienced by the audience after engaging with a tragedy.
Dumbed Down: A feeling of relief after something sad.
Example: While “The Wife of Bath” is comedic, the emotional release comes from her honest reflections on relationships and gender dynamics, which resonate with the audience.
MOIRAI
Original Definition: In Greek mythology, the three Fates who control human destiny.
Dumbed Down: The three sisters who decide how long people live.
Example: While “The Wife of Bath” doesn’t directly reference the Moirai, the concept of fate can be seen in her discussions about destiny in love and marriage.
DIDACTIC
Original Definition: Literature intended to instruct or teach a moral lesson.
Dumbed Down: Writing meant to teach you something.
Example: “The Wife of Bath” is didactic in its exploration of marriage, gender roles, and the power dynamics between men and women.
TERZA RIMA
Original Definition: A rhyme scheme consisting of tercets with an interlocking pattern (ABA BCB CDC).
Dumbed Down: A way of writing poems with three lines that rhyme in a specific way.
Example: Dante’s “Inferno” uses terza rima, while Chaucer’s tales, including the Wife of Bath’s, often use rhymed couplets instead.
TERCET
Original Definition: A three-line stanza in a poem.
Dumbed Down: A group of three lines in a poem.
Example: “The Wife of Bath” contains many stanzas that can be broken down into tercets, especially in its more lyrical moments.
CONTRAPASSO
Original Definition: A principle in Dante’s “Inferno” where punishment reflects the sin committed.
Dumbed Down: Getting punished in a way that fits the bad thing you did.
Example: In “Inferno,” a glutton’s punishment is to lie in filth, reflecting their excess in life. While not in “The Wife of Bath,” this concept highlights moral justice.
ALLEGORY
Original Definition: A narrative where characters and events symbolize deeper moral or political meanings.
Dumbed Down: A story that stands for something bigger and teaches a lesson.
Example: While “The Wife of Bath” is more straightforward, her tale can be interpreted as an allegory for women’s empowerment and autonomy in a patriarchal society.
SATIRE
Original Definition: A genre using humor, irony, or exaggeration to criticize societal issues or individuals.
Dumbed Down: Funny writing that makes fun of people or problems.
Example: “The Wife of Bath” satirizes societal norms regarding marriage and gender roles, poking fun at the expectations placed on women.
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IRONY
Original Definition: A literary device where the intended meaning is opposite to the literal meaning.
Dumbed Down: When something happens that’s the opposite of what you expect.
Example: In “The Wife of Bath,” there’s irony in her declaring herself an expert on marriage while also being critical of it.
