Literary Elements For Romeo & Juliet Flashcards
Pun
A humorous use of words that involves a word or phrase that can have more than one meaning
Oxymoron (and give an example)
A phrase in which two words of contradictory meaning are used together eg wise fool
Malapropism
Unintentional use of the wrong word through confusion with another word that sounds similar
Paradox
A statement that sounds contradictory but actually may be true
Allusion
Refers to well-known people, places, or events from literature
Chiasmus
Word order in a phrase in which the order of words in the second of two paired phrases is the reverse of the order in the first. Eg “gray was the morn, all things were gray.” MIRROR IMAGE
Foreshadowing
To indicate or suggest something that is going to happen
Metaphor
Describing somebody or something with a word or phrase that is not meant literally but by means of comparison expresses something about them e.g. saying that somebody is a snake
Soliloquy
A lengthy speech in which a character expresses his or her thoughts to the audience, alone on the stage
Aside
A remark by a character revealing thoughts or feelings to the audience. No one else can hear these comments
Monologue
A lengthy speech in which the character is expressing his or her thoughts to another character
Characters
The people or animals who take part in a literary work
Round or Dynamic characters
Have many personality traits, like a real person
Flat characters
Embodying one trait, one-dimensional, used for comic relief
Dramatic foil
Character who highlights the trait of another character
