Medieval Lit Terms Flashcards
ballad-give definition and and example from our readings
a song or a song-like poem that tells a story
Bar the Door
symbol-give definition and and example from our readings
a person, place, thing, or event that stands both for itself and for something beyond itself
The Miller’s red beard and hair represents his lustful nature
refrain-give definition and and example from our readings
a repeated word, phrase, line, or group of lines
"Get up and bar the door"
incremental repetition-give definition and and example from our readings
a device widely used in ballads whereby a line or lines are repeated with slight variations from stanza to stanza
Lord Randall: “Oh where have you been Lord Randall my son” and “And what met ya there Lord Randall my son”
plot-give definition and and example from our readings
the series of related events that make up a story or drama
In the Pardoner’s Tale the plot is that the characters are on a hunt to go kill death and it makes up a story
question and answer format -give definition and and example from our readings
when the ballad or story asks a question then answers it
Lord Randall
frame story-give definition and and example from our readings
an introductory narrative within which one or more of the characters proceed to tell individual stories
Canterbury Tales
characterization-give definition and and example from our readings
Direct-writer tells us directly what a character’s personality is
Indirect-reader has to exercise their own judgement and put clues together to figure out what a character is like
The Miller is directly described as 224 pounds, red hair, big nose, hunched shoulders, and an all around brawny guy. He also says he cheats people. The Nun would be indirect because he doesn’t come out and say she’s bad.
satire-give definition and and example from our readings
a kind of writing that ridicules human weakness, vice, or folly in order to bring about social reform
Chaucer uses satire on most characters he talks about because he discusses their weaknesses and faults in society.
verbal irony-give definition and and example from our readings
when a writer or speaker says one thing but really means something different
In the Pardoner’s Tale they try to “kill” death
situational irony-give definition and and example from our readings
when what actually happens is the opposite of what is expected or appropriate
The Pardoner says you shouldn’t be greedy but then he sells Pardon’s to people
personification-give definition and and example from our readings
a kind of metaphor in which a nonhuman or nonliving thing or quality is talked about as if it were human or had life
Chaucer refers to Zephyrus, a person, as sweet breath and the wind
moral-give definition and and example from our readings
teaches a lesson about life
A moral seen in the Pardoner’s Tale is to be careful who you trust. The characters turned against each other.
