Latin Literature Glossary

Question 1

Metre

Answer 1

The basic rhythmic structure of a verse.

Question 2

Elegiac couplets

Answer 2

Pairs of lines with 6 rhythmic syllables in the first line and 5 rhythmic syllables in the second line.

Question 3

Spondaic

Answer 3

Lines of poetry with long syllables.

Question 4

Elision

Answer 4

Shortening or joining of syllables.

Question 5

Didactic

Answer 5

Poetry which had the aim of instruction (often moral or philosophical).

Question 6

Parody

Answer 6

Mocking/re-telling

Question 7

Chiasmus (a chiastic arrangement)

Answer 7

Mirroring arrangement of word in a line. Often takes ABBA arrangement.
Eg. All for one, and one for all.

Question 8

Emphatic placement

Answer 8

Choice of word order to emphasise the message of the sentence or text.

Question 9

Asyndeton

Answer 9

A literary device that excludes conjunctions (and,but,or,so,yet,nor) to add emphasis and pace.
Eg. I came, I saw, I conquered

Question 10

Polysyndeton

Answer 10

A literary device in which a list or series of words,phrases or clauses are repeated with the use of the same conjunction. This creates of all the descriptions ‘piling’ up.
Eg. I have homework AND ballet AND football etc.

Question 11

Tricolon

Answer 11

A list of three. This adds emphasis in an appealing rhythm.

Question 12

Assonance

Answer 12

Repetition or similarity between syllables or nearby words (repetition of vowel sounds).
Eg. The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain.

Question 13

Imperative verbs

Answer 13

A verb which is a direct command.
Eg. Sing! Dance! Run!

Question 14

Passive verb

Answer 14

A form of a verb in which the subject undergoes the action of the verb.
Eg. LUNCH is being made by the kitchen staff.