Macbeth Literary Devices Flashcards
Alliteration
repetition of an initial consonant sound in a sequence of words
Allegory
a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one
Allusion
a reference to something of historical or cultural significane;
Anaphora
the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive lines, stanzas, sentences, or paragraphs
Antagonist
a character that opposes the protagonist’s goals and interests, which creates conflict in the work
aside
a brief speech that is heard only by the audience, and not by the other characters who are also on the stage; it often represents a thought being said aloud
Assonance
a repetition of vowl sounds in a sequence of words with different endings
characterization
the techniques by which an author represents the moral, intellectual, and emotional natures of the characters
confidant
a secondary character in the story, often a friend or authority figure, whose role is to listen to the protagonist’s secrets, examine their characrter, and advise them on their actions
conflict
a struggle between two opposing forces
consonance
the repetition of certain consnant sounds in close proximity
deus ex machina
literally, “god out of the machine”; any improbable, unprepared-for plot contricance intorduced late in a literary work to resolve the conflict
dialogue
a character’s spoken words
double entendre
word or phrase open to two interpretations, one of which is usually risque or indecent
end rhyme
a rhyme that occurs at the end of a line
epiphany
a sudden, overwhelming insight or revelation
foil
a character who contrasts with the protag. in ways that bring out the protag.’s moral, emotional, or intellecual qualities
foreshadowing
the use of hints and clues to suggest what will happen later int he plot
hyperbole
a point stated in a way that greatly exaggerated
iambic pentameter
a line verse with five metrical feet, each consisting of one short syllable followed by one long syllable
imagery
when a writer uses descriptive language to engage the reader
irony
when a literary work presents a deliberate contrast between two levels of meaning
metaphor
comparing two things without using ‘like’or ‘as’
monologue
a speech made by one character
mood
the overall feeling, or atmosphere, or a text often created by author’s use imagery
oxymoron
a phrase that combines two seemingly opposite elements by the author;s use of iagery and word choice
paradox
when a statement apprears to be contradictory or impossible but turns out to express and often striking truth
personification
giving human qualites to an inhuman object or thing
plot
the selection and ordering of the events in a story
protagonist
the main character in a work of literature
pun
a play on words that sound the same but have different meanings
rhetorical question
when a question is asked to prove a point, not get an answer
setting
an environment or surrounding in which a story takes place; can include details such as geographical location, time period, social conditions, and weather
simile
comparing two things using ‘like’ or ‘as’
soliloquy
a monologue delivered by a character who is alone on state; soliloquies are reserved for main characters to disclose important revelations or feelings
stage directions
instructions in the text of a play aboutthe lighting, sound effects, props, character movement, etc..
symbol
a single object, action, event, or person that represents something beyond itself
theme
the insight about a topic communicated ina work
tone
the attitude of a writer toward a subject or an audience conveyed through word choice and the style of the writing
tragedy
drama with a serious, somber tone; the effect is to involve and strongly move the audience; and the outcome is disastrous for the protagonist and, often, those associated with them
