Semester Final Terms Flashcards
to help you not fail :D
Invocation to a muse
When the speaker of the poem asks the Muse for inspiration
(Calliope is the muse of epic poetry)
In media res
“in the middle of things” or “in the middle of the action”
Beginning (after the invocation) with action instead of background information helps capture audience attention
hubris
A personality quality of extreme or excessive pride or dangerous overconfidence
epithet
A literary device that describes a person, place, or object by accompanying or replacing it with a descriptive word or phrase.
Some examples of Homer’s epithets include “rosy-fingered dawn” and “son of Laertes,” for Odysseus.
Kenning
two-word metaphorical name for something
For example: “sea-road” for ocean
Epic simile
A long comparison over many lines.
Such similes were another way to fill out the meter
and aid the poet’s memory.
Objective tone
By keeping an emotional distance, the poet focuses attention on the story.
meter
A fixed rhythmic pattern
A strong meter helps the oral poet remember the lines. In the
original Greek, the Odyssey uses hexameter, or six beats to a line, which helps create a fast pace.
kleos
Eternal glory or “what people say about you.”
xenia
The custom of offering protection and hospitality to strangers.
metis
Good counsel, planning, cunning, wisdom
arete
Excellence, or living up to your full potential.
metaphor
when you say an object or thing is something. Ex. “Their bedroom is a pigsty!”
simile
when you say an object or thing is like something. Ex. “It fits like a glove.”
hyperbole
when you exaggerate something for added emphasis. Ex. “I’m so hungry i could eat a horse!”
allusion
When an author references an external work in a passing manner. Ex. “Thrift stores are my kryptonite.” (referring to Superman)
symbolism
the usage of images, objects, words, colors, etc. to represent abstract ideas. Ex. The color red typically signaling danger or black signaling death.
imagery
the usage of figurative language to evoke senses or “paint a picture” for the reader. Ex. “My head is pounding like a drum.”
personal essays
argue the importance of experience
persuasive essays
argue for a change in a community, or try and convince audience of something
research essays
wide, varied arguments
stance
- attitude
- background
- experience
Epic
an extended narrative poem recounting actions, travels, adventures, and heroic episodes; may have 12 or 24 books.
Characteristics of an Epic
- MC is larger than life
- heroes deeds presented without favoritism
- action reveals more-than-human strengths of the hero
- setting covers large areas
- episodes provide explanations for the events in history
- gods play an active role
- each event relates to a central theme
Epic Conventions
- begins with the statement of the theme and invocation to the muse
- long, formal speeches by important characters
- journey to another world/ the underworld
- previous episodes are recounted
- hero’s journey
foreshadowing
a warning or indication of a future event
flashback
a scene where a character views a previous memory/moment
epic simile
a long simile where the image becomes an object of art as well as serving to clarify the subject.
12 stages of the heroes journey
1: the ordinary world
2: the call to adventure
3: accepting the call
4: meeting the mentor
5: crossing the threshold
6: test, allies, and enemies
7: the approach
8: the supreme ordeal
9: the reward
10: the road back
11: growth or atonement
12: the return
