Shakespeare Flashcards
iambic definition and meter definition
iambic- The pattern of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable.
meter- rhythmic pattern in language
What does the Quatrain(s) of a sonnet talk about?
It is the inductive reasoning and gathers evidence.
What does the Couplet of a sonnet talk about?
It is the thesis/claim. It usually turns the question around or there is a noticeable change somehow.
How many syllables does each iambic pentameter line have?
- 5 unstressed syllables and 5 stressed syllables.
What is a universal in poetry/theater?
It is when a particular represents a universal. So, the universal is a general idea about the world.
Ex. A raging storm in king Lear –> storm in Lear’s mind
or
Ex. Mischievous thief –> all evil in the world
Inversion
Shakespeare often rearranges the word order to create new rhythms or to emphasize a particular word. Inversion is when he reverses the subject and verb order.
Ex. “Goes he?” instead of “He goes..”
or
Ex. Shakespeare: (object) + (subject) + (verb)
Modern: (subject) + (verb) + (object)
Archaic Language
Ex. “Away from light steals home my heavy son”
“heavy” is referring to the mood of Shakespeares son. It is sad and sorrowful. “light” is referring to his sons friends. This poem is about his son being heartbroken and shutting everyone out, closing his blind, etc.
Omission
Shakespeare might omit a whole word or a part of a word to create rhymes.
Ex. “Heard the news?” instead of “Have you heard the news?”
or
“Good E’en” instead of “Good Evening”
What type of writing did Shakespeare write in and why?
Shakespeare wrote in pose because it was very common at the time, it flowed, and it closely matches the pattern that we speak with.
Renaissance Vs. Modern Drama
- Importance of words
- Real life Vs. Stage life- what they say, what characters say about them, and what characters do.
- Symbolic art- people symbolize things
Classical Allusion
An indirect reference to something from Greek/Roman mythology
Ex. “She sang like a Siren.”
Biblical Allusion
An indirect reference to something from the Bible.
Ex. “After losing his job, his wife, and his horse, it seemed his lot in life was much like Job’s.”
Pun
A ‘pun’ is usually defined as a play on words, or a play upon words, but it would be more accurate to describe punning as playing with the sound of words to achieve particular effects. Those effects can be amusement, thought of two or more of those effects. Puns can also achieve a combination of two or more of those effects. In Shakespeare’s works pun are often an important part of the economy of his poetic texts.
Paradox
A seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement of proposition that when investigated or explained may prove to be well founded or true.
Ex. “What a pity that youth must be wasted on the young.”
Petrarchan Love
- Lover emphasizes the paralyzing intensity of love
- Language describes love as perfect
- “Her” only fault is that she is mortal
- Anti-sex
- The love is not mutual
- Lover is melancholy and wants to be alone
When was Shakespeare born?
April 23 1564
When did Shakespeare die?
April 23 1616
Where did Shakespeare live?
Stratford-upon-Avon
Who were Shakespeares parents?
John and Mary Arden Shakespeare. John was a glove maker and local politician and Mary was a daughter of a wealthy landowner.
What was school like during Shakespeares youth?
He attended grammar school: Kings New School. The school days were long and rigorous. The students would learn about:
- Rhetoric
- Logic
- History
- Latin
When did Shakespeare drop out of school?
Middle School- his dad lost his fortune and needed him to work
