English IV

Front

epic poem

Back

a long narrative poem that celebrates a hero's

deeds.

Example: Beowulf

Front

Epic Poetry info...

Back

-written about a hero, who is usually a strong courageous person of nobility

-usually involves supernatural creatures, great deeds, and perilous journeys

-imbues the hero with traits that reflect the ideals of the larger culture

-conveys universal themes found in the literature of all time periods and cultures, such as good vs. evil

-often features long speeches, as well as formal diction and a serious tone

Front

alliteration

Back

the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words. This device helps unify the lines.

Example: In His splendour He set the sun and the moon.

Front

rhythm

Back

the audible pattern in a line of poetry or prose created by the recurrence of stressed and unstressed syllables. It is the "beat" or "flow" of a poem that gives it a musical quality.

Front

caesura

Back

a pause that divides the line, with each part having two stresses. Usually, at least one stressed syllable in the first part alliterates with a stressed syllable in the second.

• "In fair Verona, where we lay our scene," 

In this line, the comma after "Verona" creates a natural, intentional pause. The caesura has the following effect:

• It breaks up the line's rhythm, making it more conversational and less predictable than a strictly metered line.

• It emphasizes "fair Verona" by setting it apart, marking the city as the play's central location. 

Front

kennings

Back

a literary device, prominent in Old English and Old Norse poetry, that uses a compound phrase with a metaphorical or descriptive meaning in place of a single, more familiar noun.

• Bookworm: Someone who reads a lot

• Couch-potato: A person who is inactive and watches a lot of television

• Gas-guzzler: A vehicle that uses a lot of fuel

• Head-hunter: A recruiter for high-level positions

• Fender-bender: A car accident 

Front

aghast

Back

struck by shock, terror, or amazement

Front

unrelenting

Back

having or exhibiting uncompromising determination; unyielding

Front

affliction

Back

something that causes pain or suffering

Front

plight

Back

a situation, especially a bad or unfortunate one