Unit 4: The Odyssey - Essential Literary Terms

Front

Alliteration (Noun)

Back

Definition: Repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words. Etymology: Latin ad (to, toward) + littera (letter). Synonyms: Repetition, consonance. Antonyms: Dissonance, cacophony. Example: "The wind whistled wildly through the wood."

Front

Allusion (Noun)

Back

Definition: Indirect reference to a person, place, event, or literary work. Etymology: Latin alludere (to play with, to refer to). Synonyms: Reference, hint. Antonyms: Explicit statement, direct mention. Example: "He was a real Hercules when he moved the boulder."

Front

Analogy (Noun)

Back

Definition: Comparison between two things, typically for explanation or clarification. Etymology: Greek analogia (proportion). Synonyms: Comparison, parallel. Antonyms: Contrast, dissimilarity. Example: "As a sword is to a warrior, a pen is to a writer."

Front

Anaphora (Noun)

Back

Definition: Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences. Etymology: Greek anaphora (a carrying back). Synonyms: Repetition, parallelism. Antonyms: Variation, dissimilarity. Example: "We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields."

Front

Antithesis (Noun)

Back

Definition: Contrast or opposition between two things. Etymology: Greek antithenai (to set against). Synonyms: Contrast, opposition. Antonyms: Similarity, agreement. Example: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times."

Front

Archetype (Noun)

Back

Definition: Typical example of a person or thing. Etymology: Greek arkhetypon (original pattern). Synonyms: Prototype, model. Antonyms: Deviation, anomaly.

Front

Aside (Noun)

Back

Definition: Remark or passage in a play intended to be heard by the audience but unheard by other characters. Etymology: From "aside." Synonyms: Whisper, stage direction. Antonyms: Public statement, declaration. Example: (In a play) "He thinks I don't know, but I do!"

Front

Characterization (Noun)

Back

Definition: Creation or description of a character. Etymology: From "character." Synonyms: Portrayal, depiction. Antonyms: Obscuring, concealing. Example: Odysseus's characterization shows him as cunning and brave.

Front

Conflict (Noun)

Back

Definition: Struggle between opposing forces. Etymology: Latin confligere (to strike together). Synonyms: Struggle, clash. Antonyms: Harmony, peace. Example: Odysseus's conflict with Poseidon.

Front

Connotation (Noun)

Back

Definition: Implied or suggested meaning of a word. Etymology: Latin connotare (to mark besides). Synonyms: Implication, suggestion. Antonyms: Denotation, literal meaning. Example: "Home" connotes warmth and comfort.