Term
|
Definition
| From Greek, to carry back, repeat. This rhetorical technique involves repetition of the same phrase at the beginning of successive clauses, phrases, sentences, or lines of poetry.
Spenser's FQ canto 11 states "So down he fell" repeatedly to emphasize the dragon's fall through the air, earth, and water. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A devotional composition sung responsively as part of a liturgy.
Smart's poem ""My Cat Jeoffry"" is an example because all of the lines start the same way and the lines were written to be sung back and forth responsively:
For fourthly he sharpens his paws by wood.
For fifthly he washes himself |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| juxtaposing two words, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times” |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| short, concise statement expressing knowledgable observation of life. “Stupid is as stupid does.” |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| concerns direct address to real or imaginary person thing, abstraction etc. In Death be not Proud, he’s addressing Death. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| poem about lovers separating at dawn. “The Sun Rising” |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| latin for “cutting off”. Notable pause in rhythm of poetic line, usually coming in the middle of the line. Reinforced by punctuation most of the time, slow the pace like a speedbump. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| two-part structure in which the order of key elements is reverse from the first to the second. Has the effect of suggesting balance. “I live to eat, and I eat to live” and “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| extended metaphor, metaphor on crack! In the flea, the flea is a conceit arguing that his lover has no reason to deny him sexually. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| metrical foot consisting of one accented syllable followed by two short unaccented or one long syllable and two short ones, “wishing me”, “featured like” and “haply I” Shakespeare Sonnet 29 |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
short poem or verse that seeks to ridicule a thought or event, usually written with witticism and sarcasm.
Swans should sing before they die- ‘twere no bad thing
Should certain people die before they sing! |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| short text honoring a deceased person. Usually inscribed on a tombstone of plaque. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| sex farce stolen from France, everyone has sex with the wrong people. Used in Canterbury Tales. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| usually in a collection of narratives, a narrative that explains the origin of, or gives perspective on the main narrative or ones to follow (Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
couplet in iambic pentameter. Traditionally found in English epics and narrative poetry.
O could I flow like thee, and make thy stream
My great example, as it is my theme!
Though deep, yet clear, though gentle, yet not dull,
Strong without rage, without o'erflowing full. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
statements are exaggerated. May be used to evoke strong feelings or to create an impression but rarely meant to be taken literally.
If hair be wires, black wires grow out of her head |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| lumping two nouns together, “wave-rider”, “hell-serf”, “cloud-murk” |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| incorrectly substituting a word that sounds similar to original but way different in meaning. In Much Ado About Nothing, “Our watch, sir, have indeed comprehended two auspicious persons” he means to say they apprehended two suspicious persons |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| short, simple sentences. used in Beowulf |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Italian- octet abbaabba followed by sestet cdecde , cdcdcd, or cdedce. English- three quatrains abab cdcd efef followed by rhyming couplet gg. Spenserian- abab bcbc cdcd ee |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Italian for recklessness. Appearance of spontaneity despite careful preparations. Courtesans would practice witticisms in private, and use an appropriate one at court as if it arose on the spot. Used in “Delight in Disorder” |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| shift of meaning, tone, or sentiment in a sonnet. 9th in Italian, 13th in English. |
|
|
