Literary Terms and Concepts

Front

Allusion

Back

A reference to something famous (historical, religious, literary, etc.) that the author expects the reader to know.

Front

Archetype

Back

An original pattern or model of which all things of the same type are a model of. Example: Achilles and Odysseus are archetypes of the epic hero.

Front

Dramatic Irony

Back

The audience understands something that the characters do not understand.

Front

Epic

Back

A long narrative poem about a larger than life figure and deeds that are important to the history of a people. In a traditional epic, supernatural forces interact with characters and participate in the action.

Front

Epic hero

Back

The protagonist of the epic who embodies the values of the culture; is a larger than life figure having superhuman strength, character or intellect.

Front

Epic simile

Back

A long, very elaborate comparison (also known as the Homeric simile).

Front

Foil character

Back

Usually a character who by contrast, emphasizes the qualities of another character.

Front

Foreshadowing

Back

Hints or clues to future events in a story.

Front

In media res

Back

“In the middle of things”—narrative technique in which the story starts in the middle of the action and then events leading up to that beginning are told through flashback.

Front

Invocation

Back

A prayer asking the gods for help or inspiration. Example: Homer’s epic begins with an invocation asking the muses for inspiration to tell the tale.